Si/SiGe superlattice structures for use in thermoelectric devices

US6060656A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Mildred Dresselhaus · Arlington, US
• Theodore C. Harman · Lexington, US
• Stephen B. Cronin · South Pasadena, US
• Takaaki Koga · Cambridge, US
• Xiangzhong Sun · Cambridge, US
• Kang L. Wang · Santa Monica, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 16, 1998
• Grant date: May 9, 2000
• Expiry date: Mar 16, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N10/8556

Abstract

A superlattice structure for use in thermoelectric power generation systems includes m layers of a first one of Silicon and Antimony doped Silicon-Germanium alternating with n layers of Silicon-Germanium which provides a superlattice structure having a thermoelectric figure of merit which increases with increasing temperature above the maximum thermoelectric figure of merit achievable for bulk SiGe alloys.