Theory of the Seebeck coefficient in alkali and noble metals

Abstract

A new formula for the Seebeck coefficient S is obtained: S = (21n2/3)(qn)(-1 epsilon)(F)k(B) x (N/V), where q, n, epsilon(F), N and V are, respectively, charge, carrier density, Fermi energy, density of states at epsilon(F) and volume. Seebeck (S) and Hall (R-H) coefficients in alkali metals are both negative while these coefficients in noble metals haw opposite signs. This difference is shown to arise from the different shapes of the Fermi surface.