Dependence of thermoelectric properties of lead salt thin films on film thickness
Abstract
The dependence of the thermoelectric properties of thin film lead salts (PbTe, PbSe, and PbS) grown on (001)KCl substrates was investigated as a function of film thickness d with and without a protective cap layer of 30 nm thick EuS. The differences in behavior between the various members of this lead salt family are discussed regarding the various thermoelectric parameters (electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, Hall coefficient, carrier mobility and power factor). Effects relating to oxidation, island formation, percolation, carrier sign inversion, lattice mismatch and non-monotonic and oscillatory thickness dependences of the thermoelectric parameters, are discussed. What can be learned by studying a family of compounds is emphasized.
- Publication:
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APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002APS..MARX24012R