Monte Carlo simulation of thermoelectric properties in silicon nanofilms: diffusive seebeck coefficient analysis

A silicon based nanofilm is examined by using self-consistent electron-phonon transport model. An ensemble Monte Carlo solver for electrons is coupled with a phonon bath that can have a non-uniform temperature. In this simulator, the electron-phonon scattering rates depend on the local temperature and the boundary conditions are also temperature dependent. Using this simulation tool, the thermoelectric properties can be studied, at the microscopic level, in doped semiconductor nanostructures of different sizes and with different types of interfaces. In the present work, the only electronic so-called diffusive Seebeck coefficient of silicon-based nanofilms is investigated as the phonon drag effect is not considered. The influence of the average temperature, temperature gradient, device size, and carrier concentration are investigated.