On persistent energy currents at equilibrium in non-reciprocal systems

Abstract

We investigate the properties of the mean Poynting vector in global thermal equilibrium, which can be non-zero in non-reciprocal electromagnetic systems. Using dyadic Green’s functions and the fluctuation–dissipation theorem, we provide a general proof that the mean Poynting vector is divergence-free under equilibrium conditions. Relying on this proof, we explicitly demonstrate that for systems where a normal mode expansion of the Green’s function is applicable, the divergence of the equilibrium mean Poynting vector vanishes. As concrete examples, we also examine the equilibrium mean Poynting vector near a planar non-reciprocal substrate and in configurations involving an arbitrary number of dipolar non-reciprocal objects in free space. Finally, we argue that the so-called persistent heat current, while present in equilibrium, cannot be detected through out-of-equilibrium heat transfer measurements.