Electronic Transport Control of Bi Nanowires
Abstract
Theoretical models of the effect of quantum confinement in nanowire arrays show that thermoelectric cooler efficiency can be enhanced several-fold using this strategy. Previous experimental studies of well characterized samples failed to show an enhancement of the thermopower, but the reason for this failure was not identified. We show that bismuth nanowires have, in addition to bulk electrons and holes, a third type of charge carriers (surface charges). The effect of surface charges is to shift the range of diameters over which the relevant phenomena occurs. We investigated the range of diameters 20-200 nm and report thermopower enhancements in 35 nm Bi nanowire arrays. We also show that array's thermoelectric properties can be further optimized by applying a magnetic field.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 07, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474091
Entities
People
- Tito E. Huber
Organizations
- Howard University