Thermoelectric power generation via transverse thermo-spin conversions

Abstract

We theoretically propose a mechanism of thermoelectric power generation via transverse thermo-spin conversions. We consider a material with strong spin–orbit coupling (the target material) and apply a temperature gradient to the target material, where the temperature gradient induces a transverse spin current. By attaching ferromagnets to the target material, we show the conversion of the nonequilibrium spin accumulation induced by the spin current into the electric voltage based on an extension of the Valet–Fert theory used in the giant magnetoresistive effect. A series circuit application is also discussed.