Nonlinear Nernst effect in trilayer graphene at zero magnetic field

Abstract

The Nernst effect, that is, the generation of a transverse voltage in response to a temperature gradient, enables thermoelectric energy conversion. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the linear Nernst effect is forbidden in non-magnetic materials because of time-reversal symmetry constraints, but the recently predicted nonlinear Nernst effect (NNE) is allowed. Here we report the experimental observation of the NNE in non-magnetic ABA trilayer graphene, even in the absence of an external magnetic field. This effect is detected via electric harmonic measurements under an alternating temperature gradient at temperatures below 12 K. The NNE exhibits a quadratic dependence on the temperature gradient. It is notably enhanced near the charge neutrality point and reaches a giant effective Nernst coefficient of up to 300 µV K⁻¹ at 2 K, surpassing the linear coefficients of magnetic materials. Moreover, we establish a scaling law between the NNE and the linear Seebeck effect, confirming the dominance of a skew scattering mechanism in driving the NNE. Our findings demonstrate an alternative approach for thermoelectric energy harvesting and cooling applications via nonlinear thermoelectric responses, which may, in the long run, offer alternative approaches towards the development of advanced thermoelectric devices.