An artificially anisotropic thermoelectric material with semiconducting and superconducting layers

The thermoelectric parameters of an artificially anisotropic material compo sed of semiconducting and superconducting layers are considered. The transv erse thermoelectric figure of merit and the sensitivity of a sensor respond ing to small heat fluxes are calculated. The use of high-temperature superc onductor layers appreciably changes the optimal geometry of the layered str ucture (layer inclination angle and thickness ratio) compared with normal c onductors. The figure of merit and the sensitivity of a thermoelectric elem ent with superconducting layers exceed the respective parameters of a struc ture with metallic layers by a factor of 2-3. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interper iodica".