Optimizing energy conversion with nonthermal resources in steady-state quantum devices

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Danielsson, Elsa, Kirchberg, Henning, Splettstoesser, Janine
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Danielsson, Elsa
Kirchberg, Henning
Splettstoesser, Janine
author_facet Danielsson, Elsa
Kirchberg, Henning
Splettstoesser, Janine
contents We provide a framework for optimizing energy conversion processes in coherent quantum conductors fed by nonthermal resources. Such nonthermal resources, which cannot be characterized by temperatures or electrochemical potentials, occur in small-scale systems that are smaller than their thermalization length. Using scattering theory in combination with a Lagrange multiplier method, we optimize the device's performance based on the efficiency, precision, or a trade-off between the two at a given output current. The transmission properties leading to this optimal performance are identified. We showcase our findings with the example of a refrigerator exploiting experimentally relevant nonthermal resources, which could result from competing environments or from light irradiation. We show that the performance is improved compared to a device exploiting a thermal resource. Our results can serve as guidelines for the design of energy-conversion processes in future nanoelectronic devices.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_15578
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Optimizing energy conversion with nonthermal resources in steady-state quantum devices
Danielsson, Elsa
Kirchberg, Henning
Splettstoesser, Janine
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Quantum Physics
We provide a framework for optimizing energy conversion processes in coherent quantum conductors fed by nonthermal resources. Such nonthermal resources, which cannot be characterized by temperatures or electrochemical potentials, occur in small-scale systems that are smaller than their thermalization length. Using scattering theory in combination with a Lagrange multiplier method, we optimize the device's performance based on the efficiency, precision, or a trade-off between the two at a given output current. The transmission properties leading to this optimal performance are identified. We showcase our findings with the example of a refrigerator exploiting experimentally relevant nonthermal resources, which could result from competing environments or from light irradiation. We show that the performance is improved compared to a device exploiting a thermal resource. Our results can serve as guidelines for the design of energy-conversion processes in future nanoelectronic devices.
title Optimizing energy conversion with nonthermal resources in steady-state quantum devices
topic Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.15578