The best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limit
Abstract The classical problem of best thermoelectrics, which was believed originally solved by Mahan and Sofo [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 7436 (1996)], is revisited and discussed in the quantum limit. We express the thermoelectric figure of merit (z T) as a functional of electronic transmission...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-10-01
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| Series: | npj Computational Materials |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-023-01141-1 |
| _version_ | 1797452142793981952 |
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| author | Sifan Ding Xiaobin Chen Yong Xu Wenhui Duan |
| author_facet | Sifan Ding Xiaobin Chen Yong Xu Wenhui Duan |
| author_sort | Sifan Ding |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The classical problem of best thermoelectrics, which was believed originally solved by Mahan and Sofo [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 7436 (1996)], is revisited and discussed in the quantum limit. We express the thermoelectric figure of merit (z T) as a functional of electronic transmission probability $${{{\mathcal{T}}}}$$ T by the Landauer–Büttiker formalism, which is able to deal with thermoelectric transport ranging from ballistic to diffusive regimes. We also propose to apply the calculus of variations to search for the optimal $${{{\mathcal{T}}}}$$ T giving the maximal z T. Our study reveals that the optimal transmission probability $${{{\mathcal{T}}}}$$ T is a boxcar function instead of a delta function proposed by Mahan and Sofo, leading to z T exceeding the well-known Mahan–Sofo limit. Furthermore, we suggest realizing the optimal $${{{\mathcal{T}}}}$$ T in topological material systems. Our work defines the theoretical upper limit for quantum thermoelectrics, which is of fundamental significance to the future development of thermoelectrics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:04:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f840cf8e95194febaba8e8f5d31919cd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2057-3960 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:04:30Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Computational Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-f840cf8e95194febaba8e8f5d31919cd2023-11-26T13:47:18ZengNature Portfolionpj Computational Materials2057-39602023-10-01911610.1038/s41524-023-01141-1The best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limitSifan Ding0Xiaobin Chen1Yong Xu2Wenhui Duan3State Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Quantum Physics, Department of Physics, Tsinghua UniversitySchool of Science, Harbin Institute of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Quantum Physics, Department of Physics, Tsinghua UniversityState Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Quantum Physics, Department of Physics, Tsinghua UniversityAbstract The classical problem of best thermoelectrics, which was believed originally solved by Mahan and Sofo [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 7436 (1996)], is revisited and discussed in the quantum limit. We express the thermoelectric figure of merit (z T) as a functional of electronic transmission probability $${{{\mathcal{T}}}}$$ T by the Landauer–Büttiker formalism, which is able to deal with thermoelectric transport ranging from ballistic to diffusive regimes. We also propose to apply the calculus of variations to search for the optimal $${{{\mathcal{T}}}}$$ T giving the maximal z T. Our study reveals that the optimal transmission probability $${{{\mathcal{T}}}}$$ T is a boxcar function instead of a delta function proposed by Mahan and Sofo, leading to z T exceeding the well-known Mahan–Sofo limit. Furthermore, we suggest realizing the optimal $${{{\mathcal{T}}}}$$ T in topological material systems. Our work defines the theoretical upper limit for quantum thermoelectrics, which is of fundamental significance to the future development of thermoelectrics.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-023-01141-1 |
| spellingShingle | Sifan Ding Xiaobin Chen Yong Xu Wenhui Duan The best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limit npj Computational Materials |
| title | The best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limit |
| title_full | The best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limit |
| title_fullStr | The best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limit |
| title_full_unstemmed | The best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limit |
| title_short | The best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limit |
| title_sort | best thermoelectrics revisited in the quantum limit |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-023-01141-1 |
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