Development of novel technique for absolute Seebeck coefficient measurement using high-precision AC voltage source

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25871194
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Measurement engineering; Physical properties of metals/Metal-base materials
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: AMAGAI Yasutaka 独立行政法人産業技術総合研究所, 物理計測標準研究部門, 主任研究員 (10549900)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 熱電変換 / 熱電効果 / 電気標準 / トムソン係数 / ゼーベック係数 / 熱電能 / 交流 / 直流

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a novel technique for measuring Thomson coefficient, which can be used for obtaining the absolute Seebeck coefficient. While previous work has focused on DC methods, we analyze the influence of an AC current in order to derive the Thomson coefficient of a thin wire from measurable quantities. Our expression does not require a prior determination of thermal conductivity and sample geometry, unlike conventional DC methods. In order to validate our analysis, the Thomson coefficient of a thin Pt wire has been measured at several frequencies. The measured Thomson coefficients using our method and those by conventional DC method are －8.3±0.3 μV/K, and －8.2±0.4 μV/K, respectively. Our results agree closely with those obtained from a conventional DC method.

Free Research Field

工学