Calculation of the thermoelectric characteristics of n-and p-type PbTe using a three-band electron spectrum

In this paper we study the thermoelectric properties of n-and p-type PbTe theoretically in a wide temperature interval of 300 to 900 K. A three-band model of the PbTe electron-energy spectrum was used in these calculations for the first time. The full set of the relevant kinetic characteristics is calculated, including the electrical and thermal conductivities, as well as the Seebeck coefficient and the thermoelectric figure-of-merit. The calculated thermoelectric quantities are in good agreement with the available experimental data.