Use of quantum‐well superlattices to obtain a high figure of merit from nonconventional thermoelectric materials

Autor:	L. D. Hicks, T. C. Harman, Mildred S. Dresselhaus
Rok vydání:	1993
Předmět:	Materials science Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous) Condensed matter physics business.industry Superlattice chemistry.chemical_element Electron Thermoelectric materials Semimetal Bismuth chemistry Thermoelectric effect Optoelectronics Figure of merit business Quantum well
Zdroj:	Applied Physics Letters. 63:3230-3232
ISSN:	1077-3118 0003-6951
DOI:	10.1063/1.110207
Popis:	Currently, the materials with the highest thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) are one‐band materials. The presence of both electrons and holes lowers ZT, so two‐band materials such as semimetals are not useful thermoelectric materials. However, by preparing these materials in the form of two‐dimensional quantum‐well superlattices, it is possible to separate the two bands and transform the material to an effective one‐carrier system. We have investigated theoretically the effect of such an approach and our results indicate that a significant increase in ZT may be achieved. This result allows the possibility of using a new class of materials as thermoelectric refrigeration elements.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:	https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_________::b62dea2b1b66c6c11ed5269d6d0ccdb0 https://doi.org/10.1063/1.110207 Zobrazit plný text záznamu