SKM 2023 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 7: Organic Semiconductors (joint session HL/CPP)

CPP 7.1: Talk

Monday, March 27, 2023, 09:30–09:45, POT 251

Field-induced Seebeck voltage in disordered semiconductors — •Anton Kompatscher and Martijn Kemerink — IMSEAM, University Heidelberg

For disordered semiconductors it is theorized that finite electric fields can heat up the charge carrier distribution to effective temperatures that can significantly exceed the lattice temperature. Here, we argue that this effective temperature should be able to efficiently drive a thermoelectric generator (TEG) based on the Seebeck effect.(1) Utilizing kinetic Monte-Carlo simulations we were able to show similar results when driving a TEG with temperature or field. As a model system we choose the Seebeck ratchet introduced by Büttiker, replacing temperature- with field-driven effective temperature modulation. This allowed us to compare the current predicted by theory with the simulation currents resulting in good functional agreement. Effective temperature drive offers interesting advantages. Since only the electron distribution but not the lattice itself is heated, one of the mayor loss channels in TEG, lattice thermal conductivity, can be suppressed. Additionally, there is no need for n- and p-type materials (nor for heat exchangers) and a single material is sufficient. The main issue for concrete realization lies in the very high necessary field strengths at which effective temperature becomes relevant and that somehow need to be coupled into the TEG.

1. "On the concept of an effective temperature Seebeck ratchet", Appl. Phys. Lett. 119, 023303 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0052116