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The Seebeck Coefficient of Insulators: Electrochemical Potential

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Abstract

We discuss the theory behind low-temperature measurement of the Seebeck coefficient in materials with few electrons, such as insulators and lightly doped semiconductors. The Seebeck coefficient is defined thermodynamically as being related to the electrochemical potential. However, the measurement is of the voltage for a material with no current, which is not the same as the gradient of the electrochemical potential.

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  1. Department of Physics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    G.D. Mahan

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  1. G.D. Mahan
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Correspondence to G.D. Mahan.

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Mahan, G. The Seebeck Coefficient of Insulators: Electrochemical Potential. J. Electron. Mater. 45, 1257–1259 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-015-3986-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-015-3986-z

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