Reaching Van den Broeck limit in linear response and Whitney limit in nonlinear response in edge mode quantum thermoelectrics and refrigeration

Abstract

Quantum heat engines and quantum refrigerators are proposed in three-terminal quantum Hall (QH) and quantum spin Hall (QSH) setups with a voltage-temperature probe in both the linear and nonlinear transport regimes. In the linear response regime, we find that efficiency at maximum power approaches the Van den Broeck limit in both QH and QSH setups. Similarly, in nonlinear response, we find that efficiency at maximum power reaches the Whitney bounds. This is for the first time, we see that in the same setup and using quantum point contacts, the thermoelectric efficiency limits in linear and nonlinear response being achieved.