Research Update: Utilizing magnetization dynamics in solid-state thermal energy conversion

• Main Authors: Stephen R. Boona, Sarah J. Watzman, Joseph P. Heremans
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2016-10-01
• Series: APL Materials
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4955027

We review the spin-Seebeck and magnon-electron drag effects in the context of solid-state energy conversion. These phenomena are driven by advective magnon-electron interactions. Heat flow through magnetic materials generates magnetization dynamics, which can strongly affect free electrons within or adjacent to the magnetic material, thereby producing magnetization-dependent (e.g., remnant) electric fields. The relative strength of spin-dependent interactions means that magnon-driven effects can generate significantly larger thermoelectric power factors as compared to classical thermoelectric phenomena. This is a surprising situation in which spin-based effects are larger than purely charge-based effects, potentially enabling new approaches to thermal energy conversion.