Statistical physics on thermoelectricity and thermodynamic phenomena

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26400404
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Mathematical physics/Fundamental condensed matter physics
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Saito Keiji 慶應義塾大学, 理工学部(矢上), 准教授 (90312983)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 非平衡熱力学 / 熱電機関 / 熱機関

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Thermoelectric phenomenon is a phenomenon in which current flows simultaneously when heat flows by connecting conductors that allow electrons to flow through a thermal bath of different temperature. Thermoelectric conversion can be regarded as a typical heat engine because heat is converted to current and its current can work in the outside world. In this research, we discussed the thermodynamic efficiency and the power that are applicable to a wide range of heat engine including thermoelectric conversion. Considering the Nernst effect caused by the magnetic field and a small heat engine realized by manipulating colloidal particles, we derived a universal trade-off relation between efficiency and power.

Free Research Field

非平衡統計物理学