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Use of Quantum-Well Superlattices to Increase the Thermoelectric Figure of Merit: Transport and Optical Studies

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Abstract

The thermoelectric figure of merit(ZT) of a material is a measure the usefulness of the material in a thermoelectric device. Presently, the materials with the highestZT are Bi2Te3 alloys, withZT ≃ 1. There has been little improvement inZT for over 30 years. So far, all the materials used in thermoelectric applications have been in bulk form. Recently, however, calculations have shown that it may be possible to increaseZT of some materials through the use of quantum-well superlattices. We have made preliminary measurements on the Bi/PbTe superlattice system using transport and optical techniques to determine whether it is possible to achieve such an increase inZT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    L. D. Hicks, X. X. Bi & M. S. Dresselhaus

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  1. L. D. Hicks
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  2. X. X. Bi
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  3. M. S. Dresselhaus
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Hicks, L.D., Bi, X.X. & Dresselhaus, M.S. Use of Quantum-Well Superlattices to Increase the Thermoelectric Figure of Merit: Transport and Optical Studies. MRS Online Proceedings Library 358, 1035 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-358-1035

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-358-1035

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