Large magnon-induced anomalous Nernst conductivity in single-crystal MnBi.

Thermoelectric modules are a promising approach to energy harvesting and efficient cooling. In addition to the longitudinal Seebeck effect, transverse devices utilizing the anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) have recently attracted interest. For high conversion efficiency, it is required that the material have a large ANE thermoelectric power and low electrical resistance, which lead to the conductivity of the ANE.

Combining Spin-Seebeck and Nernst Effects in Aligned MnBi/Bi Composites.

The spin-Seebeck effect (SSE) is an advective transport process traditionally studied in bilayers composed of a ferromagnet (FM) and a non-magnetic metal (NM) with strong spin-orbit coupling. In a temperature gradient, the flux of magnons in the FM transfers spin-angular momentum to electrons in the NM, which by the inverse spin-Hall effect generates an SSE voltage. In contrast, the Nernst effect is a bulk transport phenomenon in homogeneous NMs or FMs.

Observation of spin Seebeck contribution to the transverse thermopower in Ni-Pt and MnBi-Au bulk nanocomposites.

Transverse thermoelectric devices produce electric fields perpendicular to an incident heat flux. Classically, this process is driven by the Nernst effect in bulk solids, wherein a magnetic field generates a Lorentz force on thermally excited electrons. The spin Seebeck effect also produces magnetization-dependent transverse electric fields.

Phonon-induced diamagnetic force and its effect on the lattice thermal conductivity.

Phonons are displacements of atoms around their rest positions in a crystalline solid. They carry sound and heat, but are not classically associated with magnetism. Here, we show that phonons are, in fact, sensitive to magnetic fields, even in diamagnetic materials.