Thermoelectric generators as self-oscillating heat engines

DOI10.1088/1751-8113/49/8/085001zbMATH Open1343.81262OpenAlexW3101187739MaRDI QIDQ2994572FDOQ2994572

Authors: Robert Alicki 

Publication date: 2 August 2016

Published in: Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: In the previous paper of Alicki et.al. a model of a solar cell has been proposed in which the non-periodic source of energy - photon flux - drives the collective periodic motion of electrons in a form of plasma oscillations. Subsequently, plasma oscillations are rectified by the p-n junction diode into the direct current (work). This approach makes a solar cell similar to standard macroscopic heat motors or turbines which always contain two heat baths, the working medium and the periodically moving piston or rotor. Here, a very similar model is proposed in order to describe the operation principles of thermoelectric generators based either on bimetallic or semiconductor p-n junctions. Again plasma oscillation corresponds to a piston and sunlight is replaced by a hot bath. The mathematical formalism is based on the Markovian master equations which can be derived in a rigorous way from the underlying Hamiltonian models and are consistent with the laws of thermodynamics.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1506.00094

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zbMATH Keywords

quantum master equationsquantum heat enginesthermoelectric generators

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Quantum optics (81V80) Classical and relativistic thermodynamics (80A10) Statistical mechanics of plasmas (82D10) Open systems, reduced dynamics, master equations, decoherence (81S22)

Cited In (4)

• Solar cell as a self-oscillating heat engine
• The general expressions of heat and work in two representations of quantum mechanics
• Analysis of two models for metal hot-electron power generation
• Title not available (Why is that?)

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