Anisotropy of the thermopower in higher silicide of transitions metals

Abstract

A new technique for measuring the thermopower anisotropy using polycrystals on the basis of repeated measurements of an array of randomly oriented microcrystals and statistical analysis of the data obtained is proposed. The thermopower anisotropy of a series of higher silicides of transition metals (β-FeSi₂, doped MnSi_1.75, ReSi_1.75, and CrSi₂) is measured using polycrystals. It is found that, in β-FeSi₂ crystals, a very high thermopower anisotropy can be observed; in ReSi_1.75 crystals, the thermopower can have different signs; and, in CrSi₂, the absolute value of the thermopower depends heavily on the heat-treatment mode. The temperature dependences of the electrical conductivity and thermopower of CrSi₂ needles are measured. The thermopower anisotropy in CrSi₂ needles, as in bulk single crystals, is retained in a wide temperature range.