Anisotropic electrical properties of a eutectic InSb + MnSb composite

Abstract

The temperature dependences of the Hall coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermoelectric power for a eutectic InSb + MnSb composite have been studied in the temperature range from 80 to 700 K. Electron-microscopic results confirm that the system is in a two-phase state and consists of an InSb matrix and needle-like MnSb metallic inclusions. The inclusions are surrounded by interfacial zones ~0.3 μm in width. The observed anisotropy in the transport properties of the material is attributed to a short-circuiting effect of the metallic inclusions. Interpretation in terms of effective medium theory with allowance for the interfacial zones suggests that they make a significant contribution to the electrical conductivity anisotropy.