Quantum control of nonlinear thermoelectricity at the nanoscale

Abstract: We theoretically study how one can control and enhance nonlinear thermoelectricity by regulating quantum coherence in nanostructures such as a quantum dot system or a single-molecule junction. In nanostructures, the typical temperature scale is much smaller than the resonance width, which largely suppresses thermoelectric effects. Yet we demonstrate one can achieve a reasonably good thermoelectric performance by regulating quantum coherence. Engaging a quantum-dot interferometer (a quantum dot embedded in the ring geometry) as a heat engine, we explore the idea of thermoelectric enhancement induced by the Fano resonance. We develop an analytical treatment of fully nonlinear responses for a dot with or without strong interaction. Based on the microscopic model with the nonequilibrium Green function technique, we show how to enhance efficiency and/or output power as well as where to locate an optimal gate voltage. We also argue how to assess nonlinear thermoelectricity by linear-response quantities.