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

摘要

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. (mjm)