Nonreciprocity and thermoelectric performance in a double-dot Aharonov–Bohm interferometer

We investigate nonreciprocity and thermoelectric performance beyond the linear response regime in a double-dot Aharonov–Bohm interferometer that is connected to three reservoirs. In the presence of a magnetic flux (broken time-reversal symmetry), we find that the difference between the forward and reverse particle currents can reach the order of 10 % under certain conditions. We also show that when the temperature gradient is reversed, the thermoelectric efficiency and output power both change; however, the discrepancies are minimal. Indeed, although breaking time-reversal symmetry can enhance the maximum efficiency, it reduces the maximum power in the present model. These results could be useful for the design of nanoscale thermoelectric devices.We investigate nonreciprocity and thermoelectric performance beyond the linear response regime in a double-dot Aharonov–Bohm interferometer that is connected to three reservoirs. In the presence of a magnetic flux (broken time-reversal symmetry), we find that the difference between the forward and reverse particle currents can reach the order of 10 % under certain conditions. We also show that when the temperature gradient is reversed, the thermoelectric efficiency and output power both change; however, the discrepancies are minimal. Indeed, although breaking time-reversal symmetry can enhance the maximum efficiency, it reduces the maximum power in the present model. These results could be useful for the design of nanoscale thermoelectric devices.