Symmetry properties of the heat current in non-ballistic asymmetric junctions: A case study

We consider quantum heat flow in two-terminal junctions and inquire on the connection between the transport mechanism and the junction functionality. Using simple models, we demonstrate that the violation of the Landauer behavior in asymmetric junctions does not necessarily imply the onset of thermal rectification. We also demonstrate through a simple example that a spatial inhomogeneity of the energy spectra is not a necessary condition for thermal rectification.