Theoretical constraints on reciprocal and non-reciprocal many-body radiative heat transfer
Cheng Guo, Shanhui Fan
Abstract
We study the constraints on reciprocal and non-reciprocal many-body radiative heat transfer imposed by symmetry and the second law of thermodynamics. We show that the symmetry of such a many-body system in general forms a magnetic group, and the constraints of the magnetic group on the heat transfer can be derived using a generalized reciprocity theorem. We also show that the second law of thermodynamics provides additional constraints in the form of a nodal conservation law of heat flow at equilibrium. As an application, we provide a systematic approach to determine the existence of persistent heat current in arbitrary many-body systems.
Topics & Concepts
ReciprocalReciprocity (cultural anthropology)Heat transferRadiative transferSecond law of thermodynamicsSymmetry (geometry)PhysicsConservation lawClassical mechanicsThermodynamicsTheoretical physicsMathematicsGeometryQuantum mechanicsPsychologyPhilosophySocial psychologyLinguisticsThermal Radiation and Cooling TechnologiesAdvanced Thermodynamics and Statistical MechanicsQuantum Electrodynamics and Casimir Effect