Low-frequency ac measurement of the Seebeck coefficient

We have analyzed the sources of error in the measurement of the Seebeck coefficient and designed a low frequency ac method to reduce them. This method has high precision in a short time period compared to commonly used dc methods while it minimizes some major sources of error that other ac methods do not. Furthermore, the setup can be fit into a 3 mm diam x 7 mm Teflon pressure cell and has minimal side effects due to the heat conductance of the pressure medium. We have also proposed and tested several methods to calibrate the Seebeck coefficient of thermocouples under pressure. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.