Contents of Journal of Thermoelectricity, No.1, 1995

Kin-Ichi Uemura. Thermoelectric Cooling Applications in Japan and Western Countries.

Research into thermoelectrics dates back to 1955 in Japan when RAD laboratories were set up in universities and its study became more than just an academic curiosity. Shortly afterwards a number of major manufacturing companies followed suit in a bid to improve the figure of merit, Z of Bi-Te thermoelectric (abbreviated TE) alloys vis a vis production of household appliances, particularly refrigerators and air conditioners. Researches continued but mechanical cooling-systems, namely, vapor compression cycle, gained in popularity and as their usage became more widespread TE cooling systems were left partially redundant. Contrary to general opinion at that time TE cooling systems did not enjoy large scale commercial usage as was anticipated. As a result commercial interest in TE cooling systems dwindled and manufacturers largely withdrew from the project. The development of TE cooling systems in Japan has never been an easy task and at times has proved to be quite daunting. Undeterred however, dedicated thermoelectricists have persisted, focusing on particular aspects of TE technology. Their continued efforts are aimed at broadening TO cooling applications in a wide variety of fields. This report describes the diversity of TE cooling applications in Japan and Western countries.

I.I.Balmush, Z.M.Dashevskii, A.I.Kasiyan. Reverse Thermoelectric Power on p-n-junction.

Temperature gradients of contrary directions were obtained in p-n-PbTe structure due to the heating of spatial charge region as a result of applied microwave electric field. According to the theory the thermo-emf arising on p-n-junction must have in this case a reverse direction. The experimental confirmations of this conclusion are presented.

S.Ashmontas, L.Vingelis, I.Gradauskas, Z.M.Dashevskii, A.I.Kasyan. The Thermoelectric Power on p-n-junction in PbTe Structures.

The thermoelectric properties of p-n-PbTe structures illuminated with CO₂ - laser pulses were investigated. It is established that at room temperature the thermoelectric response is mainly due to volume thermo-electromotive forces. At liquid nitrogen temperature the thermoelectric response results mainly from thermo-emf on p-n-junction and increases in peak value more than 20 times. A matrix of such cells can serve for the measurement of spatial distribution of power IR-laser pulse.

P.I.Baransky. On the Anisotropy of the TE Effects Specialties Connected with the Multiplicity of Valleys Display.

Experimentally it is proved the theoretical forecasting of that the band spectra of the multi-valley semiconductors specific features allow to obtain in the conditions of electron-phonon entertainment the huge values of thermo-e.m.f. anisotropy (tens of thousands mcV/K) practically realized by the spread of this anisotropy to the crystal level by one-axis elastic deformation.

I.V.Gasenkova, E.I.Tochitsky. Formation of Thermoelectric (BiSb)₂Te₃ and Bi₂(TeSe)₃ Films by Pulsed Vacuum Arc Plasma Method.

Phase and elemental compositions of (BiSb)₂Te₃ and Bi₂(TeSe)₃ films condensed by pulsed vacuum arc plasma method have been investigated. Electrophysical properties of the films have been studied in terms of their possible application in thin-film thermoelectric transducers.

I.V.Gasenkova. The use of (BiSb)₂Te₃ and Bi₂(TeSe)₃ Films in Thermoelectrical Transducers.

The results of using (BiSb)₂Te₃ and Bi₂(TeSe)₃ films prepared by pulsed vacuum arc plasma method (PVAP-method) as functional elements of thermoelectrical transducers (TT) are presented. It is demonstrated that TT's conversion coefficient (K) can be increased by using bismuth and antimony chalcogenides instead of PbTe and GeTe as thermocouple branch materials without any changes introduced into the transducer design. Subsequent annealing of the devices leads to further considerable rise in the K coefficient.

T.E.Svechnikova, N.M.Maximova, I.Ju.Nikhezina, G.Sussmann, P.Reinshaus. Investigation of the Electric Physical Properties of Bi₂Te_2.85Se_0.15 Crystals with the Diameter 40 mm Obtained by Chokhralsky Method.

The aim of the present work is to investigate the influence of the crystal growing conditions, purity of the initial materials on the axis and radial homogeneity of the Bi₂Te_2.85Se_0.15 single crystals, which was estimated after measuring the Seebeck coefficient by two methods: the usual compensation one and the microprobe one with the resolution 30 mcm under the method developed in the Martin Luther University in Halle, Germany [16]. In the first method the temperature difference is 25-27 K, in the second 3-5 K. The accuracy of the measurement is 2mcV/K and ~1% respectively.

L.I.Anatychuk. Information about the International Thermoelectric Academy.

Instruction guide for authors.