Large enhancement of thermoelectric effects in multiple quantum dots in a serial configuration due to Coulomb interactions

Abstract

In the present work we theoretically study Seebeck effect in a set of several quantum dots in a serial configuration coupled to nonmagnetic conducting electrodes. We focus on the combined effect of intra-dot Coulomb interactions between electrons and the number of dots on the thermopower (S) and the thermoelectric figure of merit ( ZT ) of the considered transport junction within the Coulomb blockade regime. We show that a strong enhancement of the both S and ZT may occur when the chemical potential of electrodes is situated within the Coulomb gap in the electron transmission spectrum thus indicating a possibility of significant increase of the efficiency of heat-to-electric energy conversion. The enhancement becomes more pronounced when the number of dots increases.

Charge and spin thermoelectric transport in benzene-based molecular nano-junctions: a quantum many-body study

“…44 Natalya demonstrated how coulomb interactions cause considerable augmentation of S and ZT in numerous quantum dots in a serial configuration. 45 Additionally, the exploration and control of a spin-polarized current through nanostructures has also attracted a lot of theoretical 46,47 and experimental 48,49 attention in recent years due to its significance for our understanding of basic quantum physics and its numerous applications, including spintronics, nanoelectronics, and quantum computation. 50,51 Researchers are investigating the prospect of using electron spin rather than its charge as the basis of new electronic devices known as "spintronics" in an effort to increase computational power and speed.…”

“…44 Natalya demonstrated how coulomb interactions cause considerable augmentation of S and ZT in numerous quantum dots in a serial configuration. 45…”