EFFICIENCY AT MAXIMUM POWER IN A PARALLEL

CONNECTED TWO QUANTUM DOTS HEAT ENGINE

BY
ALEBACHEW ADMASSIE CHEKOLE

A Project Proposal Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Physics (Stastical Physics)

To

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE

ADVISOR: YOSEPH ABEBE(Ph. D)

DEBRE MARKOS, ETHIOPIA

AUGUST, 2024
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The all-powerful God, who has never left me alone in my life's path, is the one behind the curtain
of my accomplishments. Above all, I thank him. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to
my adviser Yoseph Abebe (Ph. D), for her unwavering counsel and assistance in making this
work a reality. His ideals will not fade away when I finish my education; rather, they will endure
for the remainder of my days. Finally, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Debre
Markos University, especially College of Natural Science, Department of Physics, for allowing
me to join and attend this University.

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Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ II
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. IV
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................. 1
1. NTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY .................................................................................... 1
1.2. STETMENT OF THE PROPLEM ...................................................................................... 2
1.3. GENERAL OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................. 3
1.3.1. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................... 3
1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS FOR PROPOSAL .............................................................................. 3
CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................................ 5
2. REVIEW LITERATURE ........................................................................................................... 5
2.1. EFFICIENCY AT MAXIMUM POWER IN A PARALLEL CONNECTED TWO QUANTUM DOTS HEAT
ENGINE ......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1.1. Parallel Configuration of Quantum Heat Engines ................................................... 5
2.1.2. Efficiency at Maximum Power in Quantum Heat Engines ............................................ 5
2.2. MODEL OF SINGLE-LEVEL QUANTUM DOTS FOR EFFICIENCY AT MAXIMUM POWER IN
PARALLEL-CONNECTED QUANTUM HEAT ENGINES ..................................................................... 6
2.2.1 MODEL DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................ 6
2.2.2. System Configuration ................................................................................................ 6
2.2.3. Energy Transitions and Work Extraction ................................................................. 6
2.2.4. Derivation of Formulas for Thermoelectric Efficiency at Maximum Power in
Parallel-Connected Quantum Heat Engines ........................................................................... 6
2.3. THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF THE MODEL .............................................................. 11
2.3.1. Heat Flux ................................................................................................................ 11
2.3.2. Power. ..................................................................................................................... 11
2.4. THERMOELECTRIC EFFICIENCY AT MAXIMUM POWER .................................................... 12
CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 13
3. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY............................................................................... 13
CHAPTER FOUR ......................................................................................................................... 14
4. TIME AND BUDGET PLAN ............................................................................................... 14
4.1. TIME PLAN....................................................................................................................... 14
3.2. ESTIMATED COST BREAK DOWN ..................................................................................... 14
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 16

III
 Abstract
In this paper, I review on a model in which a single level of two quantum dots is
connected in parallel and embedded between two leads with different temperatures
and chemical potentials. The temperature and chemical potential gradient help the
electron flow cyclically and act as a heat engine. We explore the thermodynamic
properties of the model such as heat flux and power as a function of dot energy.
We also carried out analytical and numerical solutions for efficiency at maximum
power of the thermoelectric engine. The resulting efficiency of our engine agrees
with the Curzon–Ahlborn expression up to quadratic terms in Carnot efficiency.

IV
CHAPTER ONE
1. NTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the Study
Thermodynamics is the study of energy, work and heat. It plays an immensely important role in
all of the natural sciences and did allow us to understand how to best use the heat produced by
burning fuel to make large machines move. In other words, how to build heat-engines, such as
the steam engine, which kick-started the industrial revolution. Quantum mechanics on the other
hand is used to describe tiny worlds that are far too small to be seen by the naked eye. For
example, it helps us understand elementary particles, atoms, molecules and how they interact
with one another. It was breakthroughs in quantum mechanics that allowed us it.

The concept of thermodynamics has been developed from the analysis of heat engines’
performance. Carnot invented an idealized mathematical model of heat engines called the Carnot
cycle and proved that there exists a maximum efficiency of all heat engines, which is given by
Carnot efficiency. This efficiency is a central cornerstone of thermodynamics. It states that a
reversible Carnot engine’s efficiency attains the maximum possible work for a given temperature
of the hot (Th) and cold (Tc) reservoirs but generates zero power because it is an infinitely slow
operation. The efficiency (ηc = 1 − Tc/Th) of the Carnot cycle is the upper bound on the efficiency
at which real heat engines are unrealistically high. The practical implications are more limited
since the upper limit ηc is only reached for reversible engine. One of the important questions is
what will be the efficiency at maximum power of a system that operates in finite time. In a
groundbreaking work, Curzon and Ahlborn [1] obtained this efficiency for the Carnot engine by
optimizing the Carnot cycle with respect to power rather than efficiency, which is given by
Curzon–Ahlborn efficiency, ηCA

ηCA = 1-√ = + + ց(ηC)3…………………(1)

This efficiency is used to seek a more realistic upper bound on the efficiency of a heat engine in
the endoreversible approximation [1, 2] (taking into account the dissipation only in the heat
transfer process). Currently, it has been shown that the Curzon–Ahlborn efficiency is an exact
consequence of linear irreversible thermodynamics when operating under conditions of strong
coupling between the heat flux and the work [3–5]. The value of 1/2 for the linear coefficient in

1
equation (1) is therefore universal for such systems. Furthermore, the diverse system in nature
has been found investigating efficiency at maximum power such as Brownian particle
undergoing a Carnot cycle through the modulation of a harmonic potential [6], Feynman Ratchet
and Powl model [7], and quantum dots connected in two leads with different temperatures and
chemical potential [8]. The result of efficiency at maximum power for all models mentioned
previously agreed up to quadratic order in ηc.
In particular, Humphrey et al. [14, 15] reported that Carnot efficiency could be reached for
electron transport between two leads at different temperatures and chemical potentials, by
connecting them through a channel sharply tuned at the energy for which the electron density is
the same in both leads. Recently, a tiny heat engine (with a single level quantum dots) in contact
with hot and cold heat reservoirs with different chemical potentials has been proposed by
Esposito et al. [8].
They studied how the device operates and determined the efficiency at maximum power and
compared their value with that of the Curzon–Ahlborn efficiency. Besides, the thermoelectric
properties of two quantum dots connected in parallel have been studied in Reference [16]. In this
paper, we introduce a detailed thermodynamic analysis of electron transport through parallel
connected two identical quantum dots connecting two leads at different temperatures and
chemical potentials. Due to the temperature gradient, the electrons transport from hot lead to cold
lead through a dot; in contrast, electrons transport from cold lead to hot lead through a dot due to
chemical potential. The temperature and chemical potential gradient cause the electron transport
through quantum dots to act as a thermoelectric engine. And we will also study the derivation of
thermodynamics quantity, thermodynamic properties of a model, thermoelectric efficiency at
maximum power and graphically to show that efficiency at maximum power increases
monotonically when we drive out equilibrium. will discuss in the next section.

1.2. Stetment of the proplem

The primary problem addressed in this study is reviewing the efficiency at maximum power in a
system comprising two quantum heat engines connected in parallel. Specifically, the study seeks
to understand how the parallel connection affects the overall efficiency and power output of the
combined system compared to individual engines operating independently.

2
 1.3. General Objectives
The general objective of this study is efficiency at maximum power in a system comprising two quantum
heat engines connected in parallel. This involves understanding how the parallel configuration affects the
overall performance of the quantum heat engines and optimizing their efficiency for practical
applications.

1.3.1. Specific Objectives

The specific objective of this project studies:
 To review efficiency at maximum power parallel connected quantum dots
 To review the efficiency at maximum power and compared their value with that of the
Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency.
 To review and explores the behaviors of heat flux and power as a function of energy
parameter, a scaled ∆/ϵ characterizing the energy difference between the two levels.
 To review the efficiency at maximum power by using a perturbation solution and numerical
solution,
 To review thermodynamic quantities, the impact of quantum dots, properties such as size
and energy level an engine ability to convert heat in to work efficiency

1.4. Research Questions for proposal

1. What will be the efficiency at maximum power of a system that operates in finite time?
2. How does the parallel configuration of two quantum heat engines influence their individual and
collective efficiency at maximum power?
3. How does the thermal interaction between the two parallel-connected quantum heat engines affect the
overall system's efficiency and power output?
4. How to review efficiency at maximum power out put for parallel-connected quantum heat engines
compare with Curozon Ahlbon efficiency and Carnot’ efficiency?
1.5. The scope of the study
This scope provides a comprehensive outline for reviewing the efficiency at maximum power in a
parallel-connected two quantum dots heat engine, covering theoretical modeling, derivations,
efficiency analysis considerations, and practical implications.
1.6 .The significance of the study
The study of efficiency at maximum power in a parallel-connected two quantum dots heat engine
contributes significantly to the field of quantum thermodynamics. By reviewing how the parallel
configuration impacts performance, the study enhances, my understanding of how quantum systems

3
operate under thermodynamic constraints and provides new insights into the principles governing
quantum heat engine .

4
CHAPTER TWO
2. REVIEW LITERATURE

2.1. Efficiency at maximum power in a parallel connected two

quantum dots heat engine
The study of quantum dots heat engine has generated considerable interest duo to their potential
application in Nano scale energy conversion device. Quantum dots as artificial atom offer unique
opportunities to explore thermodynamic principles at quantum scale. The area investigates the
efficiency such as system power output.

Quantum heat engines utilize quantum mechanical principles to convert thermal energy into
work, a concept that extends beyond classical thermodynamic limits. Scovil and Schulz-DuBois
(1959) first proposed a quantum heat engine using a three-level maser, laying the groundwork
for understanding quantum engines' efficiency. Since then, research has expanded to explore
various configurations and operational conditions affecting efficiency and power output (Scovil
& Schulz-DuBois, 1959).

2.1.1. Parallel Configuration of Quantum Heat Engines

The concept of connecting multiple quantum heat engines in parallel is relatively novel. In this
setup, each engine operates with its own thermal reservoirs and contributes to a combined output.
The efficiency and power output of such systems are influenced by the interactions between the
parallel engines and their thermal dynamics (Feldman & Kramer, 2017). This parallel
configuration can potentially enhance overall performance by leveraging the combined output of
multiple engines (Geva & Kosloff, 1992).

2.1.2. Efficiency at Maximum Power in Quantum Heat Engines

In classical thermodynamics, the efficiency at maximum power is a critical metric, often

governed by the trade-off between power output and efficiency (Curzon & Ahlborn, 1975). For
quantum heat engines, this relationship is modified by quantum effects such as coherence and
entanglement. Gordon and Berman (1993) explored how these quantum phenomena impact the
efficiency and power output of heat engines, emphasizing that quantum coherence can both
enhance and limit performance depending on the system's configuration.

5
2.2. Model of Single-Level Quantum Dots for Efficiency at Maximum
Power in Parallel-Connected Quantum Heat Engines
Quantum dots, as artificial atoms with discrete energy levels, have become significant in
quantum thermodynamics due to their unique properties and versatility. In the context of
quantum heat engines, single-level quantum dots can serve as effective models for understanding
efficiency at maximum power, especially when connected in parallel configurations. This section
outlines a model involving single-level quantum dots to study the efficiency at maximum power
in two parallel-connected quantum heat engines.

2.2.1 Model Description

2.2.2. System Configuration

The model considers two single-level quantum dots connected in parallel, each functioning as a
quantum heat engine. Each quantum dot operates with discrete energy levels, where transitions
between these levels represent the working cycles of the heat engine. The system includes the
following components:

Quantum Dots: Each dot has a single energy level that can absorb or emit energy through
transitions. These dots are coupled to thermal reservoirs at different temperatures.

Thermal Reservoirs: Each quantum dot is connected to a hot and cold thermal reservoir. The
hot reservoir provides energy to the quantum dot, and the cold reservoir absorbs the waste heat.

2.2.3. Energy Transitions and Work Extraction

Each single-level quantum dot operates on a thermodynamic cycle where energy transitions
between the quantum states are used to perform work. The efficiency of each quantum dot as a
heat engine is determined by the ratio of work extracted to the heat absorbed from the hot
reservoir.

2.2.4. Derivation of Formulas for Thermoelectric Efficiency at Maximum

Power in Parallel-Connected Quantum Heat Engines

Thermoelectric efficiency at maximum power for parallel-connected quantum heat engines

requires deriving and examining the relevant formulas that describe the system's performance.
This analysis involves calculating heat fluxes, power outputs, and efficiencies for each engine,
6
and then optimizing these quantities to achieve maximum power output. Here, we present the
derivation of key formulas and analyze the efficiency of such system.

We consider a particular model that consists of a single-level quantum dot in contact with hot left
lead, temperature TL, and chemical potential μL, and with cold right lead, temperature TR, and
chemical potential μR in an external magnetic field (stochastic driving force) (see in Figure 1). In
the presence of an external magnetic field, the system’s

We consider a model that is two quantum dots parallel connected into hot and cold reservoirs of
temperatures Tr and Tl and chemical potentials μr and μl , respectively, as shown in Figure 1. Due
to their size variation, the quantum dots have different single energy levels associated with each
of them. Accordingly, we consider the single energy level of the first quantum dot ϵ1 to be ϵ + ∆,
while that of the second quantum dot ϵ2 has to be ϵ − ∆. We assume that the electrons thermalize
instantaneously to the temperature of the leads upon tunneling to the reservoirs and the electron
transports through quantum dots with a sharply defined energy. If the level remains occupied by
an electron while it is lowered (raised), power is extracted from (injected into) the system, W <
0(W > 0), respectively. If the level remains empty while energy changes, neither power nor heat
flux is produced. When the empty (filled) level at energy ϵ + ∆ and ϵ − ∆ is filled (emptied) by an
electron, an amount of heat flux Qr (Ql) enters the system, respectively. The dots with energy
levels ϵ + ∆ and ϵ − ∆ exchange electrons with leads as shown in Figure 1.

The quantum dot is either empty (state 1) or filled (state 2) for the first quantum dot and the
second quantum dot either empty (state 3) or filled (state 4). The crucial variables of the
problem are the scaled energy barriers with (kB = 1) of the first and second quantum dots,
respectively, which are given by of them. (where,KB=Boltzmann constant).

Accordingly, we consider the single energy level of the first quantum dot ϵ1 to be ϵ + ∆, while
that of the second quantum dot ϵ2 has to be ϵ − ∆. We assume that the electrons thermalize
instantaneously to the temperature of the leads upon tunneling to the reservoirs and the electron
transports through quantum dots with a sharply defined energy. If the level remains occupied by
an electron while it is lowered (raised), power is extracted from (injected into) the system, W <
0(W > 0), respectively. If the level remains empty while energy changes, neither power nor heat
flux is produced. When the empty (filled) level at energy ϵ + ∆ and ϵ − ∆ is filled (emptied) by an
electron, an amount of heat flux Qr (Ql ) enters the system, respectively. The dots with energy
levels ϵ + ∆ and ϵ − ∆ exchange electrons with leads as shown in Figure1. The quantum dot is
7
either empty (state 1) or filled (state 2) for the first quantum dot and the second quantum dot
either empty (state 3) or filled (state 4). The crucial variables of the problem are the scaled
energy barriers with (kB = 1) of the first and second quantum dots, respectively, which are given
by

where v = l, r The master equation [17–19] describes the probabilities of the dots being in a
particular state change in time as

Where P1, P2, P3, and P4 are the probability of the quantum dots in state 1, state 2, state 3, and
state 4, respectively. Here, the transitional rate in the first quantum dot is given by

and the transitional rates in the second quantum dot are given by

Here, av and bv are the Einstein coefficients which are independent of the dots’ energy and fv and
gv are the Fermi distributions given by

8
In this paper, we focus on the steady state properties of the device. f

The resulting probability current from the lead v to the first and second dot is respectively,using

Respecively using respectively.

Using Ir =− Il, Jr =− Jl, W12 + W21 =ar + al, and W34 + W43 = br + bl , we can rewrite the result for
the flux from the right lead as

where α = (aral )/(ar + al ) and c = (brbl )/(br + bl ). Equation (8) is the Landauer formula for a
single infnitely sharp resonance (i.e., without broadening).Te steady state heat per unit time for
the frst quantum dot Qr ′ and the second quantum dot Qr ″ extracted from the lead r is,
respectively, given by

The total heat fux enters into the quantum dots from lead r.

The net power output by both quantum dots is the sum of the total heat flux getting into it and
dissipates cold into cold reservoir which is given by

the corresponding thermodynamic efficiency reads

9
The entropy production associated with the master equation (3) is given as follows [20–23] for
the frst quantum dot:

where i, j = 1, 2. Noting that InW12/W21 =xv, one fnds, in agreement with standard irreversible
thermodynamics [19], the following expression for the entropy production:

Thermodynamics forces for matter and energy fow, Fm and Fe, are given by

We stress that the corresponding matter and heat fow are given by

In the same spirit, the entropy production, thermodynamics forces for matter and energy fow,
and their corresponding matter and fow of the second quantum dot can expressed as

10
The matter and heat flow are perfectly coupled and the condition for attaining both Carnot and
Curzon–Ahlborn efficiency, namely, that the determinant of the corresponding Onsager matrix
be zero, is fulfilled [1, 24].

2.3. Thermodynamic Properties of the Model

To understand the efficiency at maximum power in a system of two parallel-connected quantum
heat engines based on single-level quantum dots, it is crucial to explore various thermodynamic
properties. This analysis focuses on heat flux and power as functions of the quantum dot's energy
levels, which directly influence the efficiency of the heat engines.

In this section, we evaluate and explore the behaviors of thermodynamic quantities such as heat
flux and power as a function of a scaled energy parameter ∆/ϵ, which characterizes the energy
difference between the two levels of the model.

2.3.1. Heat Flux

The rate of heat energy transferred through a given surface of a system can be described by the
thermodynamic quantity, which is called heat flux. Substituting equations (2) and (6) into (10),
the steady state heat per unit time as a function of ∆/ϵ becomes

2.3.2. Power.

The steady state work per unit time (power) as the function of ∆/ϵ is given by

11
2.4. Thermoelectric Efficiency at Maximum Power
Thermoelectricity is the Peltier and Seebeck effect. The Seebeck effect is the flow of electrical
current in response to an applied temperature difference, while the Peltier effect is the reverse:
the creation of temperature difference in response to an applied electrical voltage. This is
intuitively understood by the fact that the hotter charge carriers diffuse faster than the cold ones,
creating a flow of thermal energy from hot to cold, and consequently the imbalanced charge
builds up an electrical voltage across the material. In thermoelectricity devices, the phenomena
of the Seebeck effect, Peltier effect, and Thomson effect have been described by the temperature
or potential difference. Snyder and Toberer [9] have discovered the thermoelectric material with
significantly higher thermodynamic yields in the early 1990s. The development in the field of
nanostructured materials is particularly intriguing [10]. Since then, thermoelectric experiments
on silicon nanowires [11], individual carbon nanotubes [12], and molecular junctions [13] have
been reported.

12
CHAPTER THREE
3. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
Materials:- To review To review the efficiency at maximum power of periodically driven
Brownian heat engine that will use material such as books, internet, computer, computer
software and soon.
Methodology:- The methodology for studding the efficiency at maximum power in a system
comprising two quantum dots heat engines connected in parallel involves several key steps
theoretical modeling, ,system configuration , perform the master equation, efficiency
calculation . This methodology provides a framework for understanding and analyzing the
thermodynamic properties of parallel-connected quantum dots heat engines based on single-level
quantum dots, focusing on heat flux, power, and efficiency.

13
 CHAPTER FOUR
4. TIME AND BUDGET PLAN
4.1. Time plan
Thus I expect to use computational programs which require software purchasing and training on it. And, I
will conduct the study until January 2025 according to the following time table.

No Activities to be done Month

July Aug. Sept. Octo. Nove. Dec. Jan.

1. Topic selection and communication to the advisor for 

approval.
2. Writing the proposal  
3. Send the proposal to advisor for commenting  
4. Proposal defense  
5. Developing formulation and performing data   
collection
6. Data organization, analysis and writing roject draft    
7. Submission of the first draft for comments   
8. Edition and submission of the Project   
9. Project defense  

3.2. Estimated Cost Break down

I will try to look at the possible costs which need to conduct this project paper. Accordingly, the
following table shows the estimated cost analysis needed to complete the study.

No Cost Item Unit Quantity Unit Price Total Cost

1. Travel costs for advisor consultancy Days 10.00 350.00 3500.00
2. Per diem for researchers Days
14.00 200.00 2800.00
advisor consultancy
3. Project binding cost Numbers 10.00 400.00 4000.00
4. Programming books Numbers 10.00 500.00 5000.00
5. Paper in reams Numbers 10.00 150.00 1500.00
6. Pen( RED,BLACK,BLUE) Piece 50.00 25.00 1250.00

14
7. Flash 32GB Numbers 2.00 600.00 1200.00
8. RW-CD Numbers 2.00 50.00 100.00
9. Photocopy of different journals and necessary books Pages 300.00 15.00 4500.00
10. External hard disc 1TB Numbers 1.00 2000.00 2000.00
11. Communication(mobile card) 1.00 500.00 500.00
12. Supervision Per diem Days 10.00 300.00 3000.00
13. Contingencies (5%) 1467.50

Grand Total 30,817.50

15
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