Thermal Conductivity and Thermoelectric Power of Semiconductors

Abstract

We briefly review the thermal conductivity and thermoelectricity of semiconductors. This subject has more than a 100-year history since Drude established his kinetic theory of electron gas in 1900. We focus on recent developments, particularly shedding light on energy conversion and nanotechnology. We begin with the Boltzmann equations for electrons and phonons, and review thermal conductivities of various semiconductors. Then, we discuss the thermoelectric effects–cross-correlation phenomena between electrical and thermal currents. Thanks to the thermoelectric phenomena, electricity can be converted into heat, and vice versa, which is called thermoelectrics. In addition, we show that nanotechnology raises fundamental questions to our understanding of thermal conduction in solids.