PROPOSAL TO STUDY THE THERMOPOWER PRODUCED BY A VACUUM-TUNNELING JUNCTION

This paper elaborates on the idea of using the scanning tunneling micr oscope in new experiments on thermopower generation by a vacuum-tunnel ing junction. We first introduce the subject of thermopower generation in metals in the presence of a temperature gradient, emphasizing the physical origins of the thermopower. Then we discuss a thermopower pro duced in a homogeneous metallic chain containing a tunneling junction. This thermopower is sufficiently large to be measured. Finally, we de scribe an arrangement to measure the thermopower, especially with the help of the scanning tunneling potentiometry.