We propose a three terminal heat engine based on semiconductor superlattices for energy harvesting. The periodicity of the superlattice structure creates an energy miniband, giving an energy window for allowed electron transport. We find that this device delivers a large power, nearly twice than the heat engine based on quantum wells, with a small reduction of efficiency. This engine also works as a refrigerator in a different regime of the system's parameters. The thermoelectric performance of the refrigerator is analyzed, including the cooling power and coefficient of performance in the optimized condition. We also calculate phonon heat current through the system, and explore the reduction of phonon heat current compared to the bulk material. The direct phonon heat current is negligible at low temperatures, but dominates over the electronic at room temperature and we discuss ways to reduce it.
Revealing the fuel of a quantum continuous measurement-based refrigerator
Université de Lorraine（洛林大学）；CNRS（法国国家科学研究中心）；Tata Institute of Fundamental Research（塔塔基础研究所）；Nordita（北欧理论天体物理学研究所）；KTH Royal Institute of Technology（瑞典皇家理工学院）；Stockholm University（斯德哥尔摩大学）；Institute for Quantum Studies, Chapman University（查普曼大学量子研究学院）；Chapman University（查普曼大学）；University of Rochester（罗切斯特大学）；Department of Applied Physics, University of Geneva（日内瓦大学应用物理系）
