A large transverse thermoelectric response in ZrTe₅
The Nernst signal depended strongly on crystal orientation; the transverse figure of merit reached 0.12 at 13 T and 120 K.
A temperature gradient and a perpendicular magnetic field can generate a voltage in a third direction through the Nernst effect. Peipei Wang and colleagues measured this response for different crystal orientations in ZrTe₅ and discussed the contributions of Berry curvature and transport by both electrons and holes.
Combining thermopower and resistivity measurements, the authors found that the transverse thermoelectric figure of merit increased approximately linearly with field over the range tested. Liyuan Zhang and Yonghong Shao were the corresponding authors.