Heat generation properties determined by chemical potentials

We investigate the current-induced heat generation in a quantum dot (QD) coupled to four spin chemical potentials, which originate from the magnetic pumping field applied on the QD. Both resonant and non-resonant electron tunneling process is analyzed. It is found that the heat generation characteristic is mainly determined by the two spin chemical potentials lying nearest to the dot level. In particular, when the difference of this two potentials is less than two phonon energy, the heat generation exhibits quantum properties, unique behavior to nanosystems and absent in macroscopic bulks.

► Current-induced heat generation in a quantum dot coupled to four chemical potentials.
► Heat generation in nanosystem exhibits quantum characteristics in some circumstance.
► The two potentials nearest to quantum dot level determine heat generation property.