Optimisation of the Figure of Merit of Modified Silicon-Germanium Alloys

Abstract

Silicon Germanium alloys are established thermoelectric materials for high temperature applications and have been successfully used in the fabrication of the thermocouples of radioisotope thermoelectric generators which provided the onboard electrical power to several US space vehicles. Recently, material development scientists have focused attention on possible improvements in the figure of merit of alloys based on silicon-germanium through an increase in a 2o (the so-called electrical figure of merit, or power factor). In the final report is embodied the results of a program of work to develop a realistic working theoretical model of the silicon germanium alloy systems and its use in identifying and investigating the parameters which determine the value of the electrical figure of merit.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA206420

Entities

People

  • D. M. Rowe

Organizations

  • University of Wales

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Band Gaps
  • Band Structures
  • Classification
  • Conduction Bands
  • Electrical Conductivity
  • Electrical Properties
  • Energy Bands
  • Energy Gaps
  • Fermi Levels
  • Figure Of Merit
  • Generators
  • Germanium
  • Germanium Alloys
  • High Temperature
  • Materials
  • Spacecraft
  • Thermal Conductivity

Fields of Study

  • Materials science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Theoretical Analysis.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space