arXiv subjects

Rosa Lopez

Publications and source records attributed to Rosa Lopez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A thermodynamic uncertainty relation for (hybrid) N--S coherent conductors

Thermodynamic uncertainty relations establish fundamental bounds between current fluctuations and entropy production in nonequilibrium systems. In hybrid normal superconducting conductors, transport is governed by the coexistence of quasiparticle transmission and Andreev reflection, where electron hole conversion transfers charge through the superconducting condensate. Using the Anantram Datta scattering formalism, we decompose the charge current and zero-frequency noise into Andreev, quasiparticle, and interference contributions. Although the interference term prevents a simple additive bound at the level of individual noise components, we show that the nonequilibrium excess noise admits a positive representation. This allows us to prove a hybrid quantum thermodynamic uncertainty relation valid for an arbitrary real superconducting gap. Our result extends the pure Andreev quantum TUR to regimes where quasiparticle and Andreev processes coexist, clarifying how superconducting coherence reshapes current fluctuations while preserving a universal dissipation precision constraint in hybrid quantum conductors.

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arXiv2026

Quantum Coherence Reshapes Thermodynamic Bounds for Thermal Machines

Thermodynamic Uncertainty Relations (TURs) set universal bounds linking current fluctuations to entropy production in nonequilibrium steady states. Their multidimensional generalization (MTUR) introduces matrix inequalities connecting current covariances and mean values. We analyze these bounds in a paradigmatic quantum thermal device, a two-terminal conductor, operating as a heat engine, refrigerator, or heat pump. We show that classical performance limits on efficiency and coefficient of performance remain constrained by the TUR when finite power or heat flow from cold to hot reservoirs is maintained, even in regimes dominated by coherent transport. We further identify the conditions that optimize TUR and MTUR violations, demonstrating that cross-correlations can enhance the joint precision of charge and heat currents near the linear-response regime.

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arXiv2022

An optimal superconducting hybrid machine

Optimal engine performances are accomplished by quantum effects. Here we explore two routes towards ideal engines, namely (1) quantum systems that operate as hybrid machines being able to perform more than one useful task and (2) the suppression of fluctuations in doing such tasks. For classical devices, the absence of fluctuations is conditioned by a high entropy production as dictate the thermodynamic uncertainty relations. Here we generalize such relations for multiterminal conductors that operate as hybrid thermal machines. These relations are overcome in quantum conductors as we demonstrate for a double quantum dot contacted to normal metals and a reservoir being a generator of entangled Cooper pairs.

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arXiv2019

Aharonov-Bohm and Aharonov-Casher effects for local and nonlocal Cooper pairs

We study combined interference effects due to the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) and Aharonov-Casher (AC) phases in a Josephson supercurrent of local and nonlocal (split) Cooper pairs. We analyze a junction between two superconductors interconnected through a normal-state nanostructure with either (i) a ring, where single-electron interference is possible, or (ii) two parallel nanowires, where the single-electron interference can be absent, but the cross Andreeev reflection can occur. In the low-transmission regime in both geometries the AB and AC effects can be related to only local or nonlocal Cooper pair transport, respectively.

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arXiv2019

Aharonov-Bohm and Aharonov-Casher effects in double quantum dot Josephson junction

We analyze a Josephson junction between two superconductors interconnected through a normal-state nanostructure made of two parallel nanowires with embedded quantum dots. We study the influence of interference effects due to the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) and Aharonov-Casher (AC) phases for local and nonlocal (split) Cooper pairs. In the AB effect the phase of electron is affected by magnetic flux, while in the AC effect the phase of the electron in solid state can be modified due to the Rashba spin-orbit coupling. In the low-transmission regime the AB and AC effects can be related to only local or nonlocal Cooper pair transport, respectively. We demonstrate that by the addition of the quantum dots the Cooper pair splitting can be made perfectly efficient, and that the AC phase is different for non-spin-flip and spin-flip transport processes.

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arXiv2019

Nonlinear chiral refrigerators

We investigate a mesoscopic refrigerator based on chiral quantum Hall edge channels. We discuss a three-terminal cooling device in which charge transport occurs between a pair of voltage-biased terminals only. The third terminal, which is to be cooled, is set as a voltage probe with vanishing particle flux. This largely prevents the generation of direct Joule heating which ensures a high coefficient of performance. Cooling operation is based on energy-dependent quantum transmissions. The latter are implemented with the aid of two tunable scattering resonances (quantum dots). To find the optimal performance point and the largest temperature difference created with our refrigerator, it is crucial to address the nonlinear regime of transport, accounting for electron-electron interaction effects. Our numerical simulations show that the maximal cooling power can be tuned with the quantum dot couplings and energy levels. Further, we provide analytical expressions within a weakly nonlinear scattering-matrix formalism which allow us to discuss the conditions for optimal cooling in terms of generalized thermopowers. Our results are important for the assessment of chiral conductors as promising candidates for efficient quantum refrigerators with low dissipation.

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arXiv2018

A thermally driven out-of-equilibrium two-impurity Kondo system

The archetypal two-impurity Kondo problem in a serially-coupled double quantum dot is investigated in the presence of a thermal bias $θ$. The slave-boson formulation is employed to obtain the nonlinear thermal and thermoelectrical responses. When the Kondo correlations prevail over the antiferromagnetic coupling $J$ between dot spins we demonstrate that the setup shows negative differential thermal conductance regions behaving as a thermal diode. Besides, we report a sign reversal of the thermoelectric current $I(θ)$ controlled by $t/Γ$ ($t$ and $Γ$ denote the interdot tunnel and reservoir-dot tunnel couplings, respectively) and $θ$. All these features are attributed to the fact that at large $θ$, both $Q(θ)$ (heat current) and $I(θ)$ are suppressed regardless the value of $t/Γ$ because the double dot decouples at high thermal biases. Eventually, and for a finite $J$, we investigate how the Kondo-to-antiferromagnetic crossover is altered by $θ$.

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arXiv2018

Anomalous Joule law in the adiabatic dynamics of a normal-superconductor quantum dot

We formulate a general theory to study the time-dependent charge and energy transport of an adiabatically driven quantum dot in contact to normal and superconducting reservoirs at T=0. This setup is a generalization of a quantum RC circuit, with capacitive components due to Andreev processes and induced pairing fluctuations, in addition to the convencional normal charge fluctuations. The dynamics for the dissipation of energy is ruled by a Joule law of four channels in parallel with the universal Büttiker resistance R_0=e^2/2h per channel. Two transport channels are associated to the two spin components of the usual charge fluctuations, while the other two are associated to electrons and holes due to pairing fluctuations. The latter leads to an "anomalous" component of the Joule law and take place with a vanishing net current due to the opposite flows of electrons and holes.

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arXiv2018

Engineering drag currents in Coulomb coupled quantum dots

The Coulomb drag phenomenon in a Coulomb-coupled double quantum dot system is revisited with a simple model that highlights the importance of simultaneous tunneling of electrons. Previously, cotunneling effects on the drag current in mesoscopic setups have been reported both theoretically and experimentally. However, in both cases the sequential tunneling contribution to the drag current was always present unless the drag level position were too far away from resonance. Here, we consider the case of very large Coulomb interaction between the dots, whereby the drag current needs to be assisted by cotunneling events. As a consequence, a quantum coherent drag effect takes place. Further, we demonstrate that by properly engineering the tunneling probabilities using band tailoring it is possible to control the sign of the drag and drive currents, allowing them to flow in parallel or antiparallel directions. We also show that the drag current can be manipulated by varying the drag gate potential and is thus governed by electron- or hole-like transport.

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arXiv2017

Fate of the spin-\frac{1}{2} Kondo effect in the presence of temperature gradients

We consider a strongly interacting quantum dot connected to two leads held at quite different temperatures. Our aim is to study the behavior of the Kondo effect in the presence of large thermal biases. We use three different approaches, namely, a perturbation formalism based on the Kondo Hamiltonian, a slave-boson mean-field theory for the Anderson model at large charging energies and a truncated equation-of-motion approach beyond the Hartree-Fock approximation. The two former formalisms yield a suppression of the Kondo peak for thermal gradients above the Kondo temperature, showing a remarkably good agreement despite their different ranges of validity. The third technique allows us to analyze the full density of states within a wide range of energies. Additionally, we have investigated the quantum transport properties (electric current and thermocurrent) beyond linear response. In the voltage-driven case, we reproduce the split differential conductance due to the presence of different electrochemical potentials. In the temperature-driven case, we observe a strongly nonlinear thermocurrent as a function of the applied thermal gradient. Depending on the parameters, we can find nontrivial zeros in the electric current for finite values of the temperature bias. Importantly, these thermocurrent zeros yield direct access to the system's characteristic energy scales (Kondo temperature and charging energy).

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arXiv2017

Nonlinear electric and thermoelectric Andreev transport through a hybrid quantum dot coupled to ferromagnetic and superconducting leads

We discuss the nonlinear Andreev current of an interacting quantum dot coupled to spin-polarized and superconducting reservoirs when voltage and temperature biases are applied across the nanostructure. Due to the particle-hole symmetry introduced by the superconducting (S) lead, the subgap spin current vanishes identically. Nevertheless, the Andreev charge current depends on the degree of polarization in the ferromagnetic (F) contact since the shift of electrostatic internal potential of the conductor depends on spin orientation of the charge carrier. This spin-dependent potential shift characterizes nonlinear responses in our device. We show how the subgap current versus the bias voltage or temperature difference depends on the lead polarization in two cases, namely (i) S-dominant case, when the dot-superconductor tunneling rate ($Γ_R$) is much higher than the ferromagnet-dot tunnel coupling ($Γ_L$), and (ii) F-dominant case, when $Γ_L\gg Γ_R$. For the ferromagnetic dominant case the spin-dependent potential shows a nonmonotonic behavior as the dot level is detuned. Thus the subgap current can also exhibit interesting behaviors such as current rectification and the maximization of thermocurrents with smaller thermal biases when the lead polarization and the quantum dot level are adjusted.

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arXiv2016

Nonlinear phenomena in quantum thermoelectrics and heat

We review recent developments in nonlinear quantum transport through nanostructures and mesoscopic systems driven by thermal gradients or in combination with voltage biases. Low-dimensional conductors are excellent platforms to analyze both the thermoelectric and heat dynamics beyond linear response because due to their small size a small temperature difference applied across regions gives rise to large thermal biases. We offer a theoretical discussion based on the scattering approach to highlight the differences between the linear and the nonlinear regimes of transport. We discuss recent experiments on quantum dots and molecular junctions subjected to strong temperature differences. Theoretical predictions concerning the Kondo effect and heat rectification proposals are briefly examined. An important issue is the calculation of thermoelectric efficiencies including nonlinearities. Cross Seebeck effects and nonlinear spin filtering arise in superconductors and topological insulators while mixed noises between charge and heat currents are also considered. Finally, we provide an outlook on the possible future directions of the field.

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arXiv2016

A hybrid superconducting quantum dot acting as an efficient charge and spin Seebeck diode

We propose a highly efficient thermoelectric diode device built from the coupling of a quantum dot with a normal or ferromagnetic electrode and a superconducting reservoir. The current shows a strongly nonlinear behavior in the forward direction (positive thermal gradients) while it almost vanishes in the backward direction (negative thermal gradients). Our discussion is supported by a gauge-invariant current-conserving transport theory accounting for electron-electron interactions inside the dot. We find that the diode behavior is greatly tuned with external gate potentials, Zeeman splittings or lead magnetizations. Our results are thus relevant for the search of novel thermoelectric devices with enhanced functionalities.

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arXiv2016

Large thermoelectric power and figure of merit in a ferromagnetic-quantum dot-superconducting device

We investigate the thermoelectric properties of a quantum dot coupled to ferromagnetic and superconducting electrodes. The combination of spin polarized tunneling at the ferromagnetic-quantum dot interface and the application of an external magnetic field that Zeeman splits the dot energy level leads to large values of the thermopower (Seebeck coefficient). Importantly, the thermopower can be tuned with an external gate voltage connected to the dot. We compute the figure of merit that measures the efficiency of thermoelectric conversion and find that it attains high values. We discuss the different contributions from Andreev reflection processes and quasiparticle tunneling into and out of the superconducting contact. Furthermore, we obtain dramatic variations of both the magnetothermopower and the spin Seebeck effect, which suggest that in our device spin currents can be controlled with temperature gradients only.

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arXiv2016

Finite U thermoelectrical transport in graphene based quantum dots

We study the thermoelectrical transports for an interacting dot attached to two graphene electrodes. Graphene band structure shows a pseudogap density of states that affects strongly the transport properties. In this work, we focus on the Coulomb blockade regime and derive the expression for Onsager matrix O_{ij} that relates the electrical and heat currents with electrical and thermal biases in the linear response regime. Our findings show double peak structures for the electrical and thermal conductances versus the dot level in accordance with the Coulom blockade phenomenon. Remarkably, however, the thermal conductance is much smaller than the electrical conductance, resulting in high figure of merit value for some gate voltage. Finally, we report a large departure from the Wiedemann-Franz law caused mainly by the pseudogap density of states in the contacts and weakly affected by interactions.

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arXiv2015

Quantum point contacts as heat engines

The efficiency of macroscopic heat engines is restricted by the second law of thermodynamics. They can reach at most the efficiency of a Carnot engine. In contrast, heat currents in mesoscopic heat engines show fluctuations. Thus, there is a small probability that a mesoscopic heat engine exceeds Carnot's maximum value during a short measurement time. We illustrate this effect using a quantum point contact as a heat engine. When a temperature difference is applied to a quantum point contact, the system may be utilized as a source of electrical power under steady state conditions. We first discuss the optimal working point of such a heat engine that maximizes the generated electrical power and subsequently calculate the statistics for deviations of the efficiency from its most likely value. We find that deviations surpassing the Carnot limit are possible, but unlikely.

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arXiv2015

Time dependent heat flow in interacting quantum conductors

We derive the frequency-resolved heat current expression in the linear response regime for a setup comprised of reservoir, interacting central site, and tunneling barrier under the action of a time dependent electrical signal. We exploit the frequency parity properties of response functions to obtain the heat current expression for interacting quantum conductors. Importantly, the corresponding heat formula, valid for arbitrary AC frequencies, can describe photon-assisted heat transport. In particular, we analyze the heat transfer for an interacting multilevel conductor (a carbon nanotube quantum dot) coupled to a single reservoir. We show that the electrothermal admittance can reverse its sign by properly tunning the AC frequency.

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arXiv2015

Thermoelectric effects in quantum Hall systems beyond linear response

We consider a quantum Hall system with an antidot acting as an energy dependent scatterer. In the purely charge case, we find deviations from the Wiedemann-Franz law that take place in the nonlinear regime of transport. We also discuss Peltier effects beyond linear response and describe both effects using magnetic-field asymmetric transport coefficients. For the spin case such as that arising along the helical edge states of a two-dimensional topological insulator, we investigate the generation of spin currents as a result of applied voltage and temperature differences in samples attached to ferromagnetic leads. We find that in the parallel configuration the spin current can be tuned with the leads' polarization even in the linear regime of transport. In contrast, for antiparallel magnetizations the spin currents has a strict nonlinear dependence on the applied fields.

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