Tuning thermoelectricity in a Bi₂Se₃topological insulator via varied film thickness

Abstract

We report thermoelectric transport studies on Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub> topological insulator thin films with varied thickness grown by molecular beam epitaxy. We find that the Seebeck coefficient and thermoelectric power factor decrease systematically with the reduction of film thickness. These experimental observations can be explained quantitatively by theoretical calculations based on realistic electronic band structure of the Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub> thin films. Lastly, this work illustrates the crucial role played by the topological surface states on the thermoelectric transport of topological insulators, and sheds new light on further improvement of their thermoelectric performance.