Majorana Thermoelectrics and Refrigeration

Abstract

A two-terminal quantum spin-Hall heat engine and refrigerator with embedded Majorana bound states (MBS) is analyzed for optimality in thermoelectric performance using the Landaeur-Buttiker approach. This investigation can be an effective tool to detect MBS. Furthermore, the occurrence of MBS can enhance the performance to rival, as well as outperform, some modern nanoscale quantum heat engines and quantum refrigerators. The optimal performance of this MBS quantum heat engine and quantum refrigerator can be further enhanced by an Aharonov-Bohm flux.