Perfect Thermal Rectification in a Many-Body Quantum Ising Model

Abstract

We address a keystone problem for the progress of phononics: the proposal of efficient thermal diodes. Aiming the disclosure of an easy itinerary for the building of a heat rectifier, we investigate unsophisticated systems linked to simple thermal baths, precisely, asymmetric quantum Ising models, i.e., simple quadratic models, involving only one spin component. We analytically show the occurrence of thermal rectification for the case of a chain with interactions long enough to connect the first to the last site. Moreover, we describe cases of a perfect rectification, i.e., finite heat flow in one direction, and zero current in the opposite direction. We argue to indicate that the ingredients for the rectification are just given by the quantum nature of the baths and dynamics, and by the structural asymmetry of the system, here in the inter-site interactions. We believe that the description of a perfect thermal rectification in a simple many-body quantum model, that is, the presentation of a simple itinerary for the building of a diode shall stimulate theoretical and experimental research on the theme.