On the Boundedness of the Dimensionless Index of Performance of a Nernst Effect Generator

Abstract

The author, in an earlier paper, analyzed a Nernst effect generator by the usual thermodynamic methods and found that a bound of unity arises on the dimensionless quantity θT where θ is given as the square of the product of the Nernst coefficient and magnetic field divided by the thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity. By application of the appropriate equations of semiconductor theory this bound is shown to be justified for four limiting cases: Weak magnetic fields considering both extrinsic and intrinsic materials, and strong magnetic fields considering both extrinsic and intrinsic materials.