AVS 57th International Symposium & Exhibition
    Energy Frontiers Topical Conference Tuesday Sessions
       Session EN+EM-TuA

Paper EN+EM-TuA4
Laser-Deposition and Characterization of Amorphous Thermoelectric Films

Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 3:00 pm, Room Mesilla

Session: Electronic Materials for Energy Conversion & Storage
Presenter: G.B. Wilks, Air Force Research Laboratory
Authors: G.B. Wilks, Air Force Research Laboratory
P.T. Murray, University of Dayton
S.B. Fairchild, Air Force Research Laboratory
N.W. Gothard, Air Force Research Laboratory
J.E. Spowart, Air Force Research Laboratory
Correspondent: Click to Email
From the Efficient Cluster Packing model describing the topology of metallic glasses, it is understood that certain compositions are favored for glass-formability based on the ratio of atomic sizes between constituents. In this regard, the half-Heusler composition Zr0.5Hf0.5NiSn is nearly ideal. Although the crystallized form of this material has been widely studied because of its high thermoelectric power factor, it has been suggested that partial vitrification may enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit by preserving the favorable aspects of electronic structure while significantly disrupting thermal transport. Capitalizing on the high quench rates possible during pulsed laser deposition, a spectrum of thin films including amorphous and partially-amorphous duplex microstructures has been grown under various conditions. Transport characteristics relevant to the thermoelectric effect are rationalized in light of accompanying microstructure characterization.