Universality and the thermoelectric transport properties of a double quantum dot system: Seeking for conditions that improve the thermoelectric efficiency

Abstract

Employing universal relations for the Onsager coefficients in the linear regime at the symmetric point of the single impurity Anderson model, we calculate the conditions under which the quantum scattering phase shift should satisfy to produce the asymptotic Carnot’s limit for the thermoelectric efficiency. We show that a single quantum dot connected by metallic leads at the Kondo regime cannot achieve the best thermoelectric efficiency. We study a serial double quantum dot system, with the quantum dots immersed in ballistic conduction channels. Each QD exhibits a strong but finite local electronic correlation U. We show that maintaining one dot in the electron-hole symmetric point and allowing charge fluctuations in the other QD makes it possible to drive the system to the maximum thermoelectric efficiency. We also show that the bound states in the continuum (BICs) and quasi-BICs associated with the quantum scattering interference process drive the DQD to the maximum thermoelectric efficiency. We identify two types of quasi-BICs that occur at low and high temperatures: The first is associated with single Fano resonances, and the last is with several Fano processes. We also discussed possible temperature values and conditions that could be linked with the experimental realization of the results.