Tuning phonon properties to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit

Abstract

Abstract.We will discuss a theory of the thermoelectric properties of semiconductor alloys and superlattices, with an emphasis on the role of phonons. After summarising our previous calculations of the lattice thermal conductivity and the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT of an n-type SiGe alloy system, we will present some recent results for an ultra-thin SiGe superlattice and discuss how they differ from the alloy results.