Thermoelectric Properties of Multiple Quantum Dots Junction System

The heat current through multiple semiconductor quantum dots embedded in an insulator matrix connected with electrodes is investigated in the framework of Green's function technique. The electrical conductance, thermal conductance, thermal power and figure of merit of a system are calculated and analyzed. Although the interdot as well as intradot Coulomb interactions significantly suppress the figure of merit, the effect of electron Coulomb interactions on ZT can be neglected when the electron Coulomb interactions are ten times larger than the thermal temperature. The temperature-dependent Lorenz number shows a violation of the Wiedemann-Franz law. (C) 2009 The Japan Society of Applied Physics