ABSTRACTThermoelectric properties of low dimensional structures based on PbTe/PbSrTe-multiple quantum-well (MQW)-structures with regard to the structural dimensions, doping profiles and levels are presented. Interband transition energies and barrier band-gap are determined from IR-transmission spectra and compared with Kronig-Penney calculations. The influence of the data evaluation method to obtain the 2D power factor will be discussed. The thermoelectrical data of our layers show a more modest enhancement in the power factor σS2 compared with former publications and are in good agreement with calculated data from Broido et al. [5]. The maximum allowed doping level for modulation doped MQW structures is determined. Thermal conductivity measurements show that a ZT enhancement can be achieved by reducing the thermal conductivity due to interface scattering. Additionally promising lead chalcogenide based superlattices for an increased 3D figure of merit are presented.
