The theoretical increase in the thermoelectric figure of merit of silicon-germanium alloy at 1000 K which would accompany a reduction in material grain size is calculated. Assuming that acoustic phonon scattering is the dominant scattering mechanism, the improvement in the conversion efficiency...

The efficiency of a single couple solar powered thermoelectric generator utilising fine-grained Si---Ge alloy thermoelements and a selective solar absorbing coating is investigated as a function of operating temperature and solar concentration factor. Optical losses and heat losses are taken...

A procedure for obtaining the absolute partial mobilities of electrons in heavily doped, hot pressed, silicon germanium alloys, currently employed in thermoelectric applications, is described. Electrical measurements on a specimen of Si0Ge30 alloy are reported and the data are analysed in a...