Scanning thermoelectric microscopy of local thermoelectric behaviors in (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films

Zhao, Kun; Zeng, Huarong; Xu, Keying; Yu, Han; Li, Guorong; Song, Jinlong; Shi, Xun; Chen, Lidong

doi:10.1016/j.physb.2014.10.009

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although Seebeck measurements have been previously presented on nanolayers [ 33 , 38 , 39 , 40 ], no image of nanostructures, such as NWs, with a nanometer resolution, has been published. The next section will then demonstrate the ability to obtain Seebeck values with the fruitful possibility, as we already did for thermal conductivity measurements, to simultaneously probe several NWs in the same image.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaging Thermoelectric Properties at the Nanoscale

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Based on our previous experimental AFM set-up specially designed for thermal conductivity measurements at the nanoscale, we have developed and validated a prototype which offers two major advantages. On the one hand, we can simultaneously detect various voltages, providing, at the same time, both thermal and electrical properties (thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient). On the other hand, the AFM approach enables sufficient spatial resolution to produce images of nanostructures such as nanowires (NWs). After a software and hardware validation, we show the consistency of the signals measured on a gold layer on a silicon substrate. Finally, we demonstrate that the imaging of Ge NWs can be achieved with the possibility to extract physical properties such as electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, paving the way to a quantitative estimation of the figure of merit of nanostructures.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaging Thermoelectric Properties at the Nanoscale

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Spatially-resolved thermopower has been investigated using thermoelectric microscopy derived from scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) in conductivity contrast mode. [52,53] In the experimental setup (Figure 3c), a conducting AFM cantilever serves as a resistive heater and a scanning probe. As the thermal probe (tip) contacts the surface, the temperature of the tip decreases; the thermal energy is transferred to the sample due to heat dissipation at the contact.…”

Section: Quantum Sensing Of In-plane Thermoelectric Power From Electr...mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum Sensing of Thermoelectric Power in Low‐Dimensional Materials

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Thermoelectric power, has been extensively studied in low‐dimensional materials where quantum confinement and spin textures can largely modulate thermopower generation. In addition to classical and macroscopic values, thermopower also varies locally over a wide range of length scales, and is fundamentally linked to electron wave functions and phonon propagation. Various experimental methods for the quantum sensing of localized thermopower have been suggested, particularly based on scanning probe microscopy. Here, critical advances in the quantum sensing of thermopower are introduced, from the atomic to the several‐hundred‐nanometer scales, including the unique role of low‐dimensionality, defects, spins, and relativistic effects for optimized power generation. Investigating the microscopic nature of thermopower in quantum materials can provide insights useful for the design of advanced materials for future thermoelectric applications. Quantum sensing techniques for thermopower can pave the way to practical and novel energy devices for a sustainable society.

show abstract

“…If one can correlate local thermal properties directly with the microstructural features, then the effect of structural heterogeneity on the macroscopic thermoelectric conversion can be better understood and optimized. We seek to accomplish this via a scanning thermal probe [29,41,42], as shown in Fig. 2(a).…”

Section: Scanning Thermal Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative nanoscale mapping of three-phase thermal conductivities in filled skutterudites via scanning thermal microscopy

Esfahani

Wang

et al. 2017

National Science Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the last two decades, a nanostructuring paradigm has been successfully applied in a wide range of thermoelectric materials, resulting in significant reduction in thermal conductivity and superior thermoelectric performance. These advances, however, have been accomplished without directly investigating the local thermoelectric properties, even though local electric current can be mapped with high spatial resolution. In fact, there still lacks an effective method that links the macroscopic thermoelectric performance to the local microstructures and properties. Here, we show that local thermal conductivity can be mapped quantitatively with good accuracy, nanometer resolution, and one-to-one correspondence to the microstructure using a three-phase skutterudite as a model system. Scanning thermal microscopy combined with finite element simulations demonstrate close correlation between sample conductivity and probe resistance, enabling us to distinguish thermal conductivities spanning orders of magnitude, yet resolving thermal variation across a phase interface with small contrast. The technique thus provides a powerful tool to correlate local thermal conductivities, microstructures, and macroscopic properties for nanostructured materials in general, and nanostructured thermoelectrics in particular.

show abstract

Scanning thermoelectric microscopy of local thermoelectric behaviors in (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films

Cited by 7 publications

References 19 publications

Imaging Thermoelectric Properties at the Nanoscale

Imaging Thermoelectric Properties at the Nanoscale

Quantum Sensing of Thermoelectric Power in Low‐Dimensional Materials

Quantitative nanoscale mapping of three-phase thermal conductivities in filled skutterudites via scanning thermal microscopy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About