Hopping-type Modifications of Quantum Interference Conditions in Nanoscale Thermal Junctions

We examine quantum processes of heat (energy) transfer as carried by electrons transfered between two metallic heat reservoirs (thermal baths) via the system of coupled quantum dots in several interesting configurations, where quantum interference effects become essentially important. Our investigations are based on the hypothesis that quantum interference effects may be used to control nanoscale heat conduction. Our computational method is based on Landauer formula for heat flux expanded into Taylor series with respect to temperature difference in order to obtain expressions for thermal conductance and its nonlinear correction in terms of transmission probability function. The connections with heat reservoirs are treated within the Newns-Anderson model with semi-elliptical density of electronic states. Our results are discussed with respect to average temperature, resonant states, and specific hopping-like parameters characterizing connections between quantum dots and thermal baths.