Energy conversion by galvanomagnetic and thermomagnetic effects with the use of Bi/sub 88/Sb/sub 12/ alloys

Galvanomagnetic and thermomagnetic effects were studied in order to serve the solid state energy conversion. A possible merit of the use of magnetic field in these effect is obvious because the Seebeck emf (longitudinal Nernst-Ettingshausen effect) or Peltier cooling (Nernst effect) could be enhanced under the magnetic field. Moreover, the Ettingshausen effect generates a temperature gradient under the magnetic field. Such three effects were studied experimentally. On a Bi/Sb sample, the temperature difference due to the Ettingshausen effect for the sample width of 10 mm, and the current density of 1 A/mm/sup 2/ was 23 K at the ambient temperature of 100 K and in the magnetic field of 1.0 tesla. The Nernst temperature difference under the relevant condition was 15.4K for 10 mm length.