Semiconductor nanowire thermoelectric materials and devices, and processes for producing same
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsMax G. Lagally, Paul G. Evans, Clark S. Ritz
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Abstract
The present invention provides nanowires and nanoribbons that are well suited for use in thermoelectric applications. The nanowires and nanoribbons are characterized by a periodic longitudinal modulation, which may be a compositional modulation or a strain-induced modulation. The nanowires are constructed using lithographic techniques from thin semiconductor membranes, or “nanomembranes.”
Claims17
A semiconductor nanoribbon having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, a plurality of semiconductor quantum dots on the first surface, and a plurality of semiconductor quantum dots on the second surface, wherein the semiconductor quantum dots create strain in the nanoribbon and further wherein the semiconductor quantum dots on the first surface are positionally staggered along the length of the nanoribbon with respect to the semiconductor quantum dots on the second surface, such that an electronic energy miniband structure is created along the length of the nanoribbon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.