SBA

Seebeck Analysis / SBA458 Nemesis

For thermoelectric material development, the knowledge of the power factor S²σ is essential as it influences the efficiency of the material.  By measuring the Seebeck coefficient S and the electrical conductivity σ simultaneously, identical measurement conditions are ensured.

The laboratory platform provides a SBA458 Nemesis device (NETZSCH-Gerätebau GmbH) which allows simultaneous measurements of the Seebeck coefficient S and the electrical conductivity σ of bulk samples and thin films in the temperature range from room temperature up to 1100°C. The electrical conductivity is measured by the collinear 4-point probe method with fixed probe spacings as shown in Fig. 2. The probes are pressed to the rear surface of the sample with a variable contact pressure allowing a characterization of even fragile samples. Heaters are placed on the edge of the sample in order to create a temperature gradient along the sample. The electrical contacts are established by rhodium (current injection) and Inconel coated thermocouples, which also measure the sample temperature required for the determination of the Seebeck coefficient.