Thermoelectric response of nanoscale devices in the nonlinear regime

• Published in: Physica. E, Low-dimensional systems & nanostructures Vol. 171; p. 116236
• Main Authors: Hartig, Raymond J., Grosu, Ioan, Ţifrea, Ionel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2025
• Subjects: Nonlinear response theory; Quantum transport; Thermoelectric effects; Thermoelectric effects; Nonlinear response theory; Quantum transport
• ISSN: 1386-9477
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physe.2025.116236

We consider the thermoelectric transport through a two-terminal nanoscale device whose terminals are subject to a temperature (ΔT=TL−TR) and voltage difference (Δμ=μL−μR;Δμ=−eΔV). We present general expressions for the charge and heat currents that allow us to calculate the power output in the nonlinear regime. The formulae for the charge and heat currents are analytical, and can be expressed using dimensionless kinetic transport coefficients Knp(μ,T). As an example, we consider the cases of Breit–Wigner, antiresonance, and Fano line-shape electronic transmission functions. In these cases, the dimensionless kinetic coefficients can be calculated in terms of Hurwitz zeta functions and Bernoulli numbers. Our analysis proves that terms beyond the standard linear approximation have to be considered when one investigates the thermoelectric response of a nanoscale device. These results allow for the optimization of the system’s thermoelectric transport efficiency in the nonlinear regime. •We considered the thermoelectric response of a nanoscale system in the nonlinear regime.•We present analytical results for the system thermoelectrical response in higher orders of approximation.•The charge and heat currents for the case of a Fano-like transmission function are given in terms of Hurwitz zeta functions and Bernoulli numbers.