Quantum thermo-optical devices

Controlling thermal and optical energy in the nanoscale by exploiting the quantum behaviors of individual quantum systems has the potential to deliver the next generation of nanotechnology. Devices like quantum thermal rectifiers and transistors have already been developed that control thermal energy similarly to how their namesakes control electrical energy. This thesis improves these existing devices by incorporating optical interactions into their mechanisms to create thermal gating devices controlled by light. Additionally, it investigates building multi-transistor systems with enhanced flow-control behaviors and other valuable functionalities following a design approach reminiscent of electronic circuit design.