Experimental setup for the Seebeck and Nernst coefficient measurements

Abstract

A new experimental setup is designed for the measurement of Seebeck and Nernst coefficients on the single crystal flakes and polycrystalline samples. The setup utilizes the multifunctional probe assembly of the physical property measurement system by Quantum Design, Inc. and can measure in the temperature range of 1.8 K–380 K up to 8 T magnetic fields. The experimental measurement was fully automated through a computer using the code written in LabVIEW software. The setup is capable of measurements on samples as small as 2 × 1 mm2 in size and thickness as small as a few micrometers, which is quite important for the crystal flakes grown using the vapor transport method. The determination of the coefficients is based on the quasi-static approach, with the thermal gradient of 0.2 K–1.2 K across the sample in the measured temperature range of 1.8 K–300 K. The sensitivity of the instrument is better than 0.1 µV/K, and the accuracy is better than ∼0.5 µV/K, which can be further improved with the better quality of electrical contacts on the sample. The Seebeck and Nernst coefficient measurements performed on some well-studied semimetallic (bismuth), thermoelectric (Bi2Se3), and superconducting (FeTe0.5Se0.5) systems are also presented.

Magneto-transport and thermoelectric studies of antiperovskite semimetal: Mn3SnC

“…The electrical resistivity and Hall effect measurements were performed by standard four-probe method in the temperature range 2-350 K and magnetic field up to 8 Tesla by quantum design physical property measurement system (PPMS). The thermal transport (Seebeck and Nernst coefficients) measurements were performed using a homebuilt set-up integrated with PPMS using multifunctional probe assembly [24]. The magnetization measurements were performed by MPMS (SQUID magnetometer).…”

Anisotropic upper critical field, Seebeck and Nernst coefficient of Nb0.20Bi2Se3 superconductor

“…The magnetisation measurements were performed using a SQUID magnetometer (MPMS-3, Quantum Design Inc.). Thermal transport (Seebeck and Nernst coefficient) measurements were performed on a homebuilt setup integrated with PPMS using multifunctional probe assembly [25].…”

An Automatic Apparatus for Simultaneous Measurement of Seebeck Coefficient and Electrical Resistivity

“…Various methods have been employed for SV measurement, broadly categorized into two groups: integral methods [4,5] and differential methods [6][7][8]. Differential methods can be further classified based on thermal conditions: steady-state [6], quasi-steady-state [9], and transient [10]. The integral method is suitable for large temperature differences and relatively long, large samples.…”