Chern insulating phases and thermoelectric properties of EuO/MgO(001) superlattices

Tuning the Thermoelectric Properties of Transition Metal Oxide Thin Films and Superlattices on the Quantum Scale

“…The enhancement is due to the presence of localized and dispersive bands promoting simultaneously a favorable Seebeck coefficient and electronic conductivity. A similar SOC‐induced band inversion takes place also in ferromagnetic semimetallic SLs (see Köksal et al [ 66 ] ). In this case, however, the vanishing band gap results in a somewhat lower Seebeck coefficient.…”

“…This is due to a band inversion between the occupied localized Eu states and the empty conduction states. [ 66 ] This inversion between bands of opposite parity is accompanied by a reorientation in the spin texture (Figure 9c), along the contour of band inversion surrounding the Γ point, and induces a Chern‐insulating phase with , which is confirmed by the presence of a single edge state and the emergence of a broad plateau in the anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC) shown in Figure 9d. This Chern‐insulating phase shows promising thermoelectric properties, for instance, a Seebeck coefficient ranging from to and a power factor PF of at 600 K (Figure 9e).…”

“…e) The in‐ and cross‐plane components of the electrical conductivity tensor divided by the relaxation time τ , the Seebeck coefficient, PF, and the electronic contribution to the figure of merit are shown as a function of the chemical potential μ at 600 K. Adapted with permission. [ 66 ] Copyright 2021, American Physical Society.…”

“…[ 65 ] Finally, in Section 3.4, we discuss the connection between nontrivial topological quantum phases, in particular, for time reversal‐symmetry‐broken Chern insulators, and their thermoelectric performance for the exemplary case of a rock salt SL. [ 66 ]…”

Ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity and anisotropic thermoelectric transport properties in Zintl compound β-K2Te2

“…The power factor (PF) can be improved via modulation doping, 6,7 applying strain, 8,9 and superlattices and alloying of materials. 10–12 On the other hand, the introduction of defects, 13–15 heavy element substitution, 16–18 using complex primitive cells, 19 boundary effects, 20,21 and reducing the dimensions are valid for decreasing the thermal conductivity. 22 Besides the good TE figure of merit, satisfactory TE materials should possess abundant and cheap elements, have good thermal stability, low toxicity, and be easily mass-produced.…”