Thermoelectric properties of p-type PbTe/PbEuTe quantum well structures

I. Sur, A. Casian, A. A. Balandin, Z. Dashevsky

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We investigate theoretically the thermoelectric properties of (111) oriented p-PbTe/PbEuTe quantum well (QW) structures using a more realistic QW model and the Boltzmann equation approach. The carrier scattering on both optical and acoustical phonons is rigorously taken into consideration. Based on our model we studied the dependencies of Seebeck coefficient, Lorentz number and thermoelectric figure of merit Z2DT on the well width and hole concentration. It is shown that the presence of twelve Σ valleys in the band structure of p-type PbTe and the decrease of the energy gap between L and Σ valleys due to confinement induced quantization lead to an improvement of the thermoelectric properties. In spite of rather low carrier mobility, the calculated values of Z2DT exceed those in n-type PbTe/PbEuTe QW's. The maximum expected values of Z2DT and the optimal parameters of QWs are determined. The comparison with the experimental data is also presented.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings ICT 2003 - 22nd International Conference on Thermoelectrics
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Pages403-406
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)078038301X
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2003
Event22nd International Conference on Thermoelectrics, ICT 2003 - La Grande Motte, France
Duration: 17 Aug 200321 Aug 2003

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Thermoelectrics, ICT, Proceedings
Volume2003-January

Conference

Conference22nd International Conference on Thermoelectrics, ICT 2003
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityLa Grande Motte
Period17/08/0321/08/03

Keywords

  • Acoustic scattering
  • Boltzmann equation
  • Carrier confinement
  • Lead
  • Optical scattering
  • Particle scattering
  • Phonons
  • Quantization
  • Quantum mechanics
  • Thermoelectricity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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