Dual Negative Differential of Heat Generation in a Strongly Correlated Quantum Dot Side-Coupled to Majorana Bound States

We study theoretically the properties of local heat originated from energy exchange between electrons passing through a quantum dot (QD) coupled to a phonon bath. The dot is sandwiched between two normal metal leads and also side-coupled to Majorana bound states (MBSs) formed at opposite ends of a topological superconductor nanowire. We find that in addition to the negative differential of heat generation (NDHG) in the Coulomb blockade regime, another NDHG emerges near the leads’ Fermi level due to the dot-MBS coupling. This dual NDHG effect is robust against the variation of intradot Coulomb interaction strength, and disappears if the QD is coupled to regular Fermions. Direct hybridization between the MBSs reduces their impacts on the electronic transport processes, and eliminates the dual NDHG effect. Our results show that the dual NDHG effect is quite efficient for inferring the existence of MBSs, and may remedy some limitations of the detection schemes relying on tunneling spectroscopy technique.

Waiting Time Distributions of Transport through a Two-Channel Quantum System

In this work, the waiting time distribution (WTD) statistics of electron transport through a two-channel quantum system in a strong Coulomb blockade regime and non-interacting dots are investigated by employing a particle-number resolved master equation with the Born–Markov approximation. The results show that the phase difference between the two channels, the asymmetry of the dot-state couplings to the left and right electrodes, and Coulomb repulsion have obvious effects on the WTD statistics of the system. In a certain parameter range, the system manifests the coherent oscillatory behavior of WTDs in the strong Coulomb blockade regime, and the phase difference between the two channels is clearly reflected in the oscillation phase of the WTDs. The two-channel quantum dot (QD) system for non-interacting dots manifests nonrenewal characteristics, and the electron waiting time of the system is negatively correlated. The different phase differences between the two channels can clearly enhance the negative correlation. These results deepen our understanding of the WTD statistical properties of electron transport through a mesoscopic QD system and help pave a new path toward constructing nanostructured QD electronic devices.

Berry-phase blockade and oscillations in single-molecule magnets Mn12 and Fe8 coupled to polarized leads

We have studied the Berry-phase interference in single-molecule magnets [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] coupled to polarized electrodes in the Coulomb blockade regime under external magnetic field. We show that for the oppositely fully polarized leads, the current is completely blockaded as a consequence of the topologically quenched tunnel splitting, which is called as Berry-phase blockade; whereas for the partially polarized leads, the current oscillates periodically with increasing external transverse magnetic field (Berry-phase oscillations). The reason is that different quantum spin tunneling trajectories can combine and give rise to either constructive or destructive interference effects.

Thermodynamics and Steady State of Quantum Motors and Pumps Far from Equilibrium

In this article, we briefly review the dynamical and thermodynamical aspects of different forms of quantum motors and quantum pumps. We then extend previous results to provide new theoretical tools for a systematic study of those phenomena at far-from-equilibrium conditions. We mainly focus on two key topics: (1) The steady-state regime of quantum motors and pumps, paying particular attention to the role of higher order terms in the nonadiabatic expansion of the current-induced forces. (2) The thermodynamical properties of such systems, emphasizing systematic ways of studying the relationship between different energy fluxes (charge and heat currents and mechanical power) passing through the system when beyond-first-order expansions are required. We derive a general order-by-order scheme based on energy conservation to rationalize how every order of the expansion of one form of energy flux is connected with the others. We use this approach to give a physical interpretation of the leading terms of the expansion. Finally, we illustrate the above-discussed topics in a double quantum dot within the Coulomb-blockade regime and capacitively coupled to a mechanical rotor. We find many exciting features of this system for arbitrary nonequilibrium conditions: a definite parity of the expansion coefficients with respect to the voltage or temperature biases; negative friction coefficients; and the fact that, under fixed parameters, the device can exhibit multiple steady states where it may operate as a quantum motor or as a quantum pump, depending on the initial conditions.