Thickness-dependent thermoelectric and heat transport experiments: strategies for sample size manipulation

• Grant number: 23/11184-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Agreement: Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science
• Principal Investigator: Valentina Martelli
• Grantee: João Pedro de Souza Pereira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/19420-3 - Thermoelectricity and heat transport in topological materials, AP.JP

Abstract

We plan to advance the understanding of the role of non-trivial topology in the determination of thermal transport properties. To meet our goals, we will perform a systematic investigation of thermoelectricity and heat transport at low temperatures in selected single crystals (SmB6, PbTe, and SnTe) with varying thicknesses and with controlled impurities. Careful and systematic work on the manipulation of the geometry of the sample is a crucial and time-consuming part of the experiment's preparation. In this IC project, appropriate strategies for the manipulation of the samples to achieve controlled thickness reduction, while preserving the accuracy of the measurements and the integrity of the specimens, will be developed. (AU)