Synthesis and evaluation of single layer, bilayer, and multilayer thermoelectric thin films
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (United States). Dept. of Physics
The relative efficiency of a thermoelectric material is measured in terms of a dimensionless figure of merit, ZT. Though all known thermoelectric materials are believed to have ZT{le}1, recent theoretical results predict that thermoelectric devices fabricated as two-dimensional quantum wells (2D QWs) or one-dimensional (ID) quantum wires could have ZT{ge}3. Multilayers with the dimensions of 2D QWs have been synthesized by alternately sputtering thermoelectric and barrier materials onto a moving single-crystal sapphire substrate from dual magnetrons. These materials have been used to test the thermoelectric quantum well concept and gain insight into relevant transport mechanisms. If successful, research could lead to thermoelectric devices that have efficiencies close to that of an ideal Carnot engine. Ultimately, such devices could be used to replace conventional heat engines and mechanical refrigeration systems.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 93595
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-ID-119652; ON: DE95017026
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 20 Jan 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION
BISMUTH TELLURIDES
LEAD TELLURIDES
SPUTTERING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
THICKNESS
THIN FILMS
SILICON ALLOYS
GERMANIUM ALLOYS
BORON CARBIDES
SILICON
LEAD SELENIDES
SEEBECK EFFECT
ANTIMONIDES