Network topology with broken Onsager symmetry allows directional and highly efficient energy transfer

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University - Princeton, NJ, USA

Received: 10 January 2015
Accepted: 7 April 2015

Abstract

Time-reversal symmetry of most conservative forces constrains the properties of linear transport in physical systems. Here, we study the efficiency of energy transfer in dissipative oscillator networks where time-reversal symmetry is broken locally by Lorentz-force–like couplings. Despite their linearity, such networks can exhibit mono-directional transport and allow isolation of energy transfer in subsystems. New mechanisms and general rules for mono-directional transport are discussed. Combining network topology with Lorentz-force–like coupling, we show how efficiency at maximum power can surpass the common bound of 1/2 and may even approach unity.