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Ratio between Seebeck coefficient and entropy per particle as a tool for elementary charge determination
Francisco J Peña1, César D Nuñez1, Bastian Castorene1,2
1Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Departamento de Física, 2390123 Valparaíso, Chile.
Physical Review. E
|January 21, 2026
Summary
Researchers explored the link between Seebeck coefficient (S) and differential entropy per particle (DEP, s) for characterizing 2D materials. Their findings show the ratio s/S reliably determines elementary charge and identifies clean band gaps in silicene nanoribbons.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- The Seebeck coefficient (S) characterizes thermoelectric properties by reflecting energy-dependent charge transport.
- Differential entropy per particle (DEP, s) offers a thermodynamic perspective on electronic entropy.
- Characterizing charge carriers in 2D systems requires robust methods linking transport and thermodynamic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between S and DEP (s) for characterizing charge carriers in 2D systems.
- To utilize armchair silicene nanoribbons as a model to analyze S, s, and their ratio (s/S) dependence on chemical potential.
- To establish s/S as a complementary probe for determining elementary charge and assessing band gap cleanness.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of Seebeck coefficient (S) and differential entropy per particle (DEP, s) in armchair silicene nanoribbons.
- Evaluation of S and s across varying ribbon widths, defining metallic and semiconducting regimes.
- Analysis of the ratio s/S in relation to chemical potential and temperature (room temperature).
Main Results:
- S and s are highly interconnected within the band gap energy region of silicene nanoribbons.
- The ratio s/S converges to the elementary charge (e) within the band gap, satisfying the Kelvin relation S=s/e.
- For gapless ribbons, s/S is undefined in the first transmission channel's energy window.
Conclusions:
- The ratio of DEP to Seebeck coefficient (s/S) serves as a reliable probe for determining the elementary charge.
- s/S can be used to identify the cleanness of electronic band gaps, as it matches the elementary charge (e) in clean systems.
- This transport-thermodynamic approach provides a complementary method for characterizing 2D materials.
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