Thermoelectric generators as self-oscillating heat engines

DOI10.1088/1751-8113/49/8/085001MaRDI QIDQ2994572zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Robert Alicki

Publication date 2 August 2016

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

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

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)

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.

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Cited in

(4)

• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 3917897 (Why is no real title available?)
• Analysis of two models for metal hot-electron power generation
• The general expressions of heat and work in two representations of quantum mechanics
• Solar cell as a self-oscillating heat engine

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