THEORETICAL STUDY OF THE SPECTRAL PROPERTIES AND THERMOELECTRIC TRANSPORT ACROSS SUPERCONDUCTOR/NORMAL METAL AND QUANTUM DOT HYBRID NANODEVICES

Abstract

Many-body quantum physics explores the collective behavior and interactions of quantum particles within correlated systems. It includes investigating phenomena that occur when multiple electrons interact mutually and with other particles, resulting in emergent properties that cannot be understood by considering each component individually, i.e., non-interacting particles. Recent advancements in nanofabrication techniques have led to the development of hybrid quantum dot nanoscale devices, offering an exciting playground for the investigation of interacting many-body quantum physics. This miniaturization of man-made structures allows the confinement of electrons within a few nanometer regions and enables the manipulation and control of charge and energy flow at the nanoscale, leading to a range of intriguing properties and potential applications. The ability of these interacting hybrid nanodevices to control the relevant parameters allows for direct comparison with theoretical results. Furthermore, the intersection of thermoelectricity and nanoscale physics leads to novel phenomena and energy harvesting opportunities unavailable in traditional bulk systems. Quantum confinement and Coulomb blockade effects significantly influence the thermoelectric properties of nanodevices, potentially leading to a deviation from the Wiedemann-Franz law. Additionally, low-dimensional systems exhibit a comparatively limited lattice thermal conductance, contributing to the enhancement of thermoelectric efficiency. These nanoscale thermoelectric devices could be used in future nanoelectronic applications to provide on-chip refrigeration and waste-heat recovery.