Stochastic pumping of heat: Approaching the Carnot efficiency
Statistical Mechanics
2009-11-13 v1 Other Condensed Matter
Abstract
Random noise can generate a unidirectional heat current across asymmetric nano objects in the absence (or against) a temperature gradient. We present a minimal model for a molecular-level stochastic heat pump that may operate arbitrarily close to the Carnot efficiency. The model consists a fluctuating molecular unit coupled to two solids characterized by distinct phonon spectral properties. Heat pumping persists for a broad range of system and bath parameters. Furthermore, by filtering the reservoirs' phonons the pump efficiency can approach the Carnot limit.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.0811.3996,
title = {Stochastic pumping of heat: Approaching the Carnot efficiency},
author = {Dvira Segal},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0811.3996},
year = {2009}
}