Highly sensitive method for simultaneous measurements of thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power: Fe and Al examples

Abstract

The main purpose of this work is to present a highly sensitive method for measuring simultaneously thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power in a 4.2–300 K temperature range, and to discuss the errors made in measurements of such quantities due to radiation and convection losses. An experimental setup is presented in detail and discussed. It is emphasized how in this quasi-steady-state method, the residual heat flow and temperature difference between various components are taken into account. Measurements of the thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power of Fe are presented for such a setup with and without radiation shields, and for high or low vacuum in the range 70–300 K. The best conditions are then used for measuring these properties in Al. Brief comparison is made to existing data.