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Thermoelectric Phenomena from Macro-Systems to Nano-Systems

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Physics of Zero- and One-Dimensional Nanoscopic Systems

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences ((SSSOL,volume 156))

Abstract

The simplest thermoelectric system is a closed loop made with two different metals connected in the form of junctions at both ends. In 1822–1823 Seebeck discovered an electric current owing through the loop when the junctions are kept at different temperatures, the so-called Seebeck effect. This system then works as a thermoelectric power generator. Since the electric current flows through both metals of the closed loop system, in each metallic branch there exists a voltage difference V between its two ends. Let us consider the simpler case of one conductor in which a relevant electric field E associated to V is created by a gradient ∇T of the temperature T. The above mentioned experiment suggests a relation E = S∇T, (1) where S is the Seebeck coefficient or the thermopower.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Lund University, Sölvegatan 14A, S-223 62, Lund, Sweden

    K. A. Chao

  2. Nanofreeze Technologies Lund AB, Ole Rmers Väg 12, S-223 70, Lund, Sweden

    Magnus Larsson

Authors
  1. K. A. Chao
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  2. Magnus Larsson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Bidhannagar, 700064, Kolkata, India

    Sachindra Nath Karmakar , Santanu Kumar Maiti  & Jayeeta Chowdhury ,  & 

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Chao, K.A., Larsson, M. (2007). Thermoelectric Phenomena from Macro-Systems to Nano-Systems. In: Karmakar, S.N., Maiti, S.K., Chowdhury, J. (eds) Physics of Zero- and One-Dimensional Nanoscopic Systems. Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences, vol 156. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72632-6_6

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