Abstract

Here, we design a Brownian thermal control device with microscale, which consists of two compartments modeled by two spatially periodic potentials, respectively. Through calculating its thermal current, it is found that the device can play roles of both thermal diode and thermal on–off, depending on its symmetry and amplitudes and spatial frequencies of the periodic potentials. In the case of optimal amplitudes and spatial frequencies, a negative differential thermal resistance effect also appears in the system, by means of which a Brownian thermal transistor can be developed. These findings have an important significance for understanding operating mechanisms through which some nano-scale machines and organisms usually work under environments of constant temperatures.

Graphical abstract

中文翻译：

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布朗热控制装置

摘要

在这里，我们设计了一个具有微尺度的布朗热控制装置，该装置由分别由两个空间周期性电势建模的两个隔室组成。通过计算其热电流，发现该器件既可以发挥热二极管的作用，又可以发挥热开关的作用，这取决于其对称性，周期性电势的幅度和空间频率。在最佳振幅和空间频率的情况下，系统中还会出现负的差分热阻效应，借助它可以开发出布朗热晶体管。这些发现对于理解某些纳米级机器和生物通常在恒温环境下工作的运行机制具有重要意义。

图形概要