Toward possible development of new thermoelectric materials by beyond-Boltzmann electron transport theory

Abstract

For the studies of thermoelectricity and thermal transport such as Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity, Boltzmann transport theory is quite often used which assumes the semi-classical equation of motion of electrons. However, it is desired that we go beyond the Boltzmann equation to evaluate physical quantities, and develop new possibilities including new thermoelectric materials by understanding the thermoelectric phenomena in the framework of microscopic theory such as linear-response theory. In this article, we explain the recent developments including our theoretical studies.