Kondo cooling in quantum impurity systems

Abstract

The Peltier effect is the reverse phenomenon of the Seebeck effect, and has been observed experimentally in nanoscale junctions. However, despite its promising applications in local cooling of nanoelectronic devices, the role of strong electron correlations on such a phenomenon is still unclear. Here, by analyzing the thermoelectric properties of quantum impurity systems out of equilibrium, we unveil the essential role of electron-electron interactions and quantum resonant states in Peltier cooling, leading to the prediction of the Kondo cooling phenomenon. The existence of such Kondo cooling is validated by a reverse heat current and a lowered local temperature in a model junction. The discovery of this unconventional Peltier cooling offers a new approach toward nano-refrigeration, and highlights the unique role of strong electron correlations in nonequilibrium quantum systems.