Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-thh2z Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-09T09:58:09.005Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Measurement and Characterization Techniques for Thermoelectric Materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Terry M. Tritt*
Affiliation:
Department Of Physics And Astronomy Clemson University, Clemson, Sc
Get access

Abstract

Characterization of thermoelectric materials can pose many problems. A temperature difference can be established across these materials as an electrical current is passed due to the Peltier effect. The thermopower of these materials is quite large and thus large thermal voltages can contribute to many of the measurements necessary to investigate these materials. This paper will discuss the characterization techniques necessary to investigate these materials and provide an overview of some of the potential systematic errors which can arise. It will also discuss some of the corrections one needs to consider. This should provide an introduction to the characterization and measurement of thermoelectric materials and provide references for a more in depth discussion of the concepts. It should also serve as an indication of the care that must be taken while working with thermoelectric materials.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.) Goldsmid, H. J., Electronic Refrigeration, (Pion Limited Publishing, London, (1986)Google Scholar
2.) CRC Handbook of Thermoelectrics, edited by Rowe, D. M., CRC Press, Boca Raton (1995)Google Scholar
3.) Hicks, L. D. and Dresselhaus, M. S., Phys. Rev. B. 47, 12727 (1993)Google Scholar
4.) Fleuriel, J. P., Calliet, T. and Borshchevsky, A., Proc. of the XIII International Conference on Thermoelectrics, AIP, p 4044 (1995)Google Scholar
5.) Sales, B. C., Mandrus, D. and Williams, R. K., Science, 272, 1325 (1996)Google Scholar
6.) Morelli, D. T. et. al., Phys. Rev. B, 51, 9622 (1995)Google Scholar
7.) Slack, Glen A. and Toukala, V. G., Jour. Appl. Phys. 76, 1635 (1994)Google Scholar
8.) Nolas, G., Slack, G., Morelli, D. T., Tritt, T. M. and Ehrlich, A. C., Jour. Appl. Phys., 79, 4002 (1996)Google Scholar
9.) Tritt, T. M. et. al., Jour. Appl. Phys.. 79, 8412 (1996)Google Scholar
10.) D.Young, H., Statistical Treatment of Experimental Data, McGraw Hill, New York,(1962)Google Scholar
11.) An Introduction to Error Analysis:The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurments Taylor, John R., University Science Books, Mil Valley CA (1982)Google Scholar
12.) Tritt, Terry M., Science, 272, 1276 (1996)Google Scholar
13.) All the “Q-terms” discussed in this paper will relate to rate of heat transfer or power related to that phenomena.Google Scholar
14.) Wood, C. W., Rep. Prog. Phys. 51, 459539 (1988)Google Scholar
15.) Rowe, D. M. and Bhandari, C. M., Modem Thermoelectrics Reston Publishing CoReston VA, 1983 Google Scholar
16.) Thermoelectricity, edited by Egli, P. H., John Wiley and Sons, New York (1960)Google Scholar
17.) Smits, F. M., Bell System Technical Journal, p 711, May 1958 Google Scholar
18.) Pauw, L. J. van der, Philips Research Reports, 13, 1, 1958 Google Scholar
19.) Pauw, L. J. van der, Philips Research Reports, 16, 187, 1961 Google Scholar
20.) Wasscher, J. D., Philips Research Reports, 16, 301, 1961 Google Scholar
21.) Koon, D. W. et. al., Rev. Sci. Instrum., 60, 275, 1989 Google Scholar
22.) Koon, D. W. et. al., Rev. Sci. Instrum., 60, 271, 1989 Google Scholar
23.) Montgomery, H. C., Jour. Appl. Phys., 42, 2971 (1971)Google Scholar
24.) Chaikin, P. M., An Introduction to Thermopower. Organic Superconductivity, editors: Kresin, V. Z. and Little, W. A., Plenum Press, New York 1990 Google Scholar
25.) Thermoelectric Power of Metals, Blatt, F., Schroeder, P., Foiles, C. and Greig, D., Plenum Press, New York (1976)Google Scholar
26.) Thermoelectricity: An Introduction to Principles: MacDonald, D. K. C., John Wiley and Sons, New York (1962)Google Scholar
27.) Kopp, J. and Slack, G. A., Cryogenics, p 22 (Feb. 1971)Google Scholar
28.) Solid State Physics, Slack, G. A., (Academic, New York) 1979 Google Scholar
29.) Thermal Conductivity Vol I and Vol II, edited by Tye, R. P., (Academic Press, New York) 1969 Google Scholar
30.) Thermal Conductiion in Solids, Berman, R. (Clarendon Press, Oxford) 1976 Google Scholar
31.) Methods of Exprimental Physics: Solid State Physics, Vol 6, editor: Marton, L., (Academic Press, New York) 1959 Google Scholar
32.) Cahill, David, Rev. Sci. Instrum., 61, 802 (1990)Google Scholar
33.) Cahill, David et. al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A, 7, 1260 (1989)Google Scholar
34.) Solid State and Semiconductor Physics, McKelvey, J. P., (Harper and Row, New York) 1966 Google Scholar
35.) Semiconductor Measurements and Instrumentation, Runyan, W. R., (McGraw Hill, New York) 1975 Google Scholar
36.) The Hall Effect and Related Phenomena, Putley, E. H.,(Butterworths, London) 1960 Google Scholar
37.) The Hall Effect in Metals and Alloys, Hurd, C., (Plenum Press, New York) 1972 Google Scholar
38.) Ehrlich, A. C., The Hall Effect, The Electrical Engineering Handbook, Editor, Doff, Richard C., CRC Press, Boco Raton, 1993, p1106 Google Scholar
39.) Harman, T. C., Jour. Appl. Phys., 30, 1373 1959 Google Scholar
40.) Harman, T. C., Cahn, J. H. and Logan, M. J., Jour. Appl. Phys., 30, 135, 1959Google Scholar
41.) Penn, A. W., J. Sci. Instrum.,41, 626, 1964.Google Scholar
42.) Bowley, A. E. et. al., J. Sci. Instrum., 38, 433, 1961.Google Scholar
43.) Buist, R.., Proc. of the XI International Conference on Thermoelectrics, AIP, (1992)Google Scholar