Superlattice structures for use in thermoelectric devices

US6452206B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Theodore C. Harman · Lexington, US
• Mildred Dresselhaus · Arlington, US
• David L. Spears · Acton, US
• Michael P. Walsh · Calgary, CA
• Stephen B. Cronin · South Pasadena, US
• Xiangzhong Sun · Cambridge, US
• Takaaki Koga · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 16, 1998
• Grant date: Sep 17, 2002
• Expiry date: Mar 16, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S257/93

Abstract

A superlattice structure for thermoelectric power generation includes m monolayers of a first barrier material alternating with n monolayers of a second quantum well material with a pair of monolayers defining a superlattice period and each of the materials having a relatively smooth interface therebetween. Each of the quantum well layers have a thickness which is less than the thickness of the barrier layer by an amount which causes substantial confinement of conduction carriers to the quantum well layer and the alternating layers provide a superlattice structure having a figure of merit which increases with increasing temperature.