Ge/SiGe superlattices for nanostructured thermoelectric modules

Chrastina, D. et al. (2013) Ge/SiGe superlattices for nanostructured thermoelectric modules. Thin Solid Films, 543, pp. 153-156. (doi: 10.1016/j.tsf.2013.01.002)

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Abstract

Thermoelectrics are presently used in a number of applications for both turning heat into electricity and also for using electricity to produce cooling. Mature Si/SiGe and Ge/SiGe heteroepitaxial growth technology would allow highly efficient thermoelectric materials to be engineered, which would be compatible and integrable with complementary metal oxide silicon micropower circuits used in autonomous systems. A high thermoelectric figure of merit requires that electrical conductivity be maintained while thermal conductivity is reduced; thermoelectric figures of merit can be improved with respect to bulk thermoelectric materials by fabricating low-dimensional structures which enhance the density of states near the Fermi level and through phonon scattering at heterointerfaces. We have grown and characterized Ge-rich Ge/SiGe/Si superlattices for nanofabricated thermoelectric generators. Low-energy plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition has been used to obtain nanoscale-heterostructured material which is several microns thick. Crystal quality and strain control have been investigated by means of high resolution X-ray diffraction. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images confirm the material and interface quality. Electrical conductivity has been characterized by the mobility spectrum technique.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ferre Llin, Dr Lourdes and Samarelli, Mr Antonio and Paul, Professor Douglas
Authors: Chrastina, D., Cecchi, S., Hague, J.P., Frigerio, J., Samarelli, A., Ferre-Llin, L., Paul, D.J., Müller, E., Etzelstorfer, T., Stangl, J., and Isella, G.
Subjects:Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Thin Solid Films
ISSN:0040-6090
ISSN (Online):1879-2731

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