Improving the Spin dependent thermoelectricity in topological materialsproperties of Sb2Te3

IMPMC is a historical research laboratory in mineralogy, physics and materials science, its research strategy is based on ambitious projects in condensed matter physics, Earth sciences in the broad sense and biology, the three fundamental components of the unit. Research is organised into eleven thematic teams that rely on the 'project unit', in charge of technical and instrumental developments, and on several 'experimental platforms'. An important place is also given to the use and development of instrumentation on large instruments (synchrotron or XFEL sources, neutron sources or laser installations for dynamic compression experiments).

You will investigate the magneto-thermoelectric properties of magnetic and non-magnetic topological materials (such as topological insulators and Weyl semimetals) and the reciprocal interaction between thermoelectricity and spin physics. The search for new, efficient, and integrable thermoelectric (TE) compounds is an active area of research, driven by the advantages of converting heat waste into energy, powering autonomous devices or cooling electronic chips. While the most common and efficient TE materials currently in use are non-magnetic topological materials (TM) like Bi₂Se₃ and Bi₂Te₃, we plan to build on recent discoveries which showed enhanced Nernst and Seebeck effects in magnetic TM, with a large contribution induced by spin-related processes. We will particularly consider ferromagnetic compounds able to evidence large anomalous Nernst or Seebeck effects.

Single-crystals of magnetic TM such as Bi_1-xCr_xTe₃, Cr-doped WTe₂, MnSb₂Te₄… will be grown by chemical vapor transport. Their magnetic and TE properties will be measured down to low temperature to determine the relationship between transport and spin physics. We aim to gain a deeper understanding of the spin-related mechanisms, in order to identify and synthesize new materials with enhanced magneto-thermoelectric properties.

We are looking for a student at a master 2 level, with a background in material sciences.

A strong affinity for experiements is required.