Physics – Condensed Matter – Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Scientific paper
2009-05-21
Nanotechnology 20 (2009) 405401
Physics
Condensed Matter
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
11 pages, 7 figures
Scientific paper
10.1088/0957-4484/20/40/405401
Recently new quantum features were observed and studied in the ridged quantum wells (RQW). Periodic ridges on the surface of the quantum well layer impose additional boundary conditions on electron wave function and reduce quantum state density. As result, chemical potential of RQW increases and becomes the ridge height dependent. Here we propose system comprising of RQW and additional layer on the top of the ridges forming periodic series of p+-n+ junctions (or metal-n+ junctions). In such systems charge depletion region develops inside the ridges and effective ridge height reduces, becoming rather strong function of temperature T. Consequently, T dependence of chemical potential magnifies and Seebeck coefficient S increases. We investigate S in the system of semiconductor RQW having abrupt p+-n+ junctions or metal-n+ junctions on the top of the ridges. Analysis made on the basis of Boltzmann transport equations shows dramatic increase in S for both cases. At the same time other transport coefficients remain unaffected by the junctions. Calculations show one order of magnitude increase in thermoelectric figure of merit ZT relative to the bulk material.
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