The best thermoelectric.

23 July 1996

journal article
Published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Vol. 93 (15) , 7436-7439
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.93.15.7436

Abstract

What electronic structure provides the largest figure of merit for thermoelectric materials? To answer that question, we write the electrical conductivity, thermopower, and thermal conductivity as integrals of a single function, the transport distribution. Then we derive the mathematical function for the transport distribution, which gives the largest figure of merit. A delta-shaped transport distribution is found to maximize the thermoelectric properties. This result indicates that a narrow distribution of the energy of the electrons participating in the transport process is needed for maximum thermoelectric efficiency. Some possible realizations of this idea are discussed.

Keywords

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