Exploring the operation of a microscopic energy selective electron engine

Abstract

The operation characteristics of a microscopic energy selective electron (ESE) engine system that operates respectively as heat engine, refrigerator or heat pump is extensively explored. The relationship between the transmission probability function and the electron engine operating regime is discussed in detail. The optimal performance for the electron engine system operating in different modes (heat engine, refrigerator, or heat pump) with different transmission probability functions and operating regimes are systematically studied with the optimization methods of finite time thermodynamics. Moreover, impacts of the electron engine design parameters such as phonon heat leakage, resonance width and central energy level on performance characteristics for the device with different transmission probability functions are investigated. The influences of transmission probability functions are analyzed by the performance comparisons between the ESE engine system considering a Lorentz transmission probability function and that considering a rectangular transmission probability function.