Role of metallic leads and electronic degeneracies in thermoelectric power generation in quantum dots

25 February 2020
andrew briggs
image illustrating the interchange between between heat and charge

This paper, published in Physical Review Research 2 and produced through collaboration with the universities of Oxford, Queen Mary and Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, describes research into the influence of the power factor in thermoelectric devices.

Spin degeneracy of the quantum dot states were shown to have a significant impact on the zero-bias conductance of the devices used, which led to an increase in the power factor.

This paper also demonstrates that nonideal heat exchange within the leads can suppress the power factor near the charge degeneracy point and nontrivially influence its temperature dependence.