title: Quantum Bounds on Heat Transport Through Nanojunctions.
abstract: We derive rigorous quantum mechanical bounds for the heat current through a nanojunction connecting two thermal baths at different temperatures. Based on exact sum rules, these bounds compliment the well-known quantum of thermal conductance κ_{Q}≡πk_{B}^{2}T/6ℏ, which provides a bound for low-temperature heat transport in all systems, but is saturated only for noninteracting transport. In contrast, our bounds are saturated at high temperatures-but still in the quantum regime-even when interactions are very strong. We evaluate these bounds for harmonic and strongly anharmonic junction models and compare with numerical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 Saint George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 Saint George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
authors.forename: Dvira
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Segal