Observation of nonlinear thermoelectric effect in MoGe/Y₃Fe₅O₁₂

Area of Science:

• Condensed matter physics
• Materials science
• Thermoelectricity

Background:

• Thermoelectric effects, like the Seebeck effect, generate voltage from temperature gradients.
• Conventional thermoelectric devices require macroscopic temperature gradients and cannot utilize fluctuating temperatures.
• Existing thermoelectric technologies have limitations in harnessing energy from dynamic thermal environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the observation of a second-order nonlinear thermoelectric effect.
• To develop a method for measuring nonlinear thermoelectricity.
• To demonstrate a new pathway for thermoelectric power generation.

Main Methods:

• Observation of a second-order nonlinear thermoelectric effect.
• Development of a measurement technique for nonlinear thermoelectricity.
• Utilizing a superconducting MoGe film on Y3Fe5O12.

Main Results:

• A voltage generation proportional to the square of the applied temperature gradient was observed.
• Demonstrated nonlinear thermoelectric generation in a MoGe/Y3Fe5O12 system.
• Successfully measured nonlinear thermoelectric effects.

Conclusions:

• The nonlinear thermoelectric effect offers a novel method for energy harvesting.
• This discovery enables power generation from temperature fluctuations.
• Provides a new avenue for developing advanced thermoelectric devices.