Accession Number:

ADA191347

Title:

Optimisation of the Thermoelectric Figure of Merit of Modified Silicon Germanium Alloys.

Descriptive Note:

Interim rept. no. 1,

Corporate Author:

UNIVERSITY OF WALES INST OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CARDIFF DEPT OF PHYSICS E LECTRONICS/ELECTRICAL ENGRG

Personal Author(s):

• Rowe, D. M.

Report Date:

1987-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

3.0

Abstract:

Alloys of silicon and geranium are established semiconductor materials for use in high temperature thermoelectric conversion systems. The conversion efficiency of a thermoelectric device depends, among other things, upon the material properties of the thermoelements through the so-called figure of merit Z alpha squared sigmalambda where alpha is the Seebeck coefficient, Sigma the electrical conductivity and Lambda the total thermal conductivity. It has been predicted and demonstrated experimentally that the lattice thermal conductivity Lambda sub L of semiconductor alloys can be substantially reduced through the use of very small grain size compacted material.

Descriptors:

• *GERMANIUM ALLOYS
• *SEMICONDUCTORS
• *SILICON ALLOYS
• *THERMOELECTRICITY
• COEFFICIENTS
• EFFICIENCY
• ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY
• FIGURE OF MERIT
• GRAIN SIZE
• SEEBECK EFFECT
• SILICON
• THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
• PERFORMANCE(ENGINEERING)
• FIGURE OF MERIT

Subject Categories:

• Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Properties of Metals and Alloys
• Solid State Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE