Modelling of the Peltier effect in magnetic multilayers

TL;DR

This paper models charge, spin, and heat currents in magnetic multilayers, incorporating thermoelectric effects and Joule heating, to understand Peltier effects and temperature distributions, aligning with experimental data for larger structures.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model of thermoelectric and thermal effects in magnetic multilayers, including interface properties and tunneling barriers, to explain observed Peltier phenomena.

Findings

Model reproduces resistance-current characteristics with shifted parabolas.

Thin tunneling barriers can enhance Peltier cooling effects.

Model aligns with experimental results for multilayers larger than 100 nm.

Abstract

We model the charge, spin, and heat currents in ferromagnetic metal$|$normal metal$|$normal metal trilayer structures in the two current model, taking into account bulk and interface thermoelectric properties as well as Joule heating. Results include the temperature distribution as well as resistance-current curves that reproduce the observed shifted parabolic characteristics. Thin tunneling barriers can enhance the apparent Peltier cooling. The model agrees with experimental results for wide multilayer pillars, but the giant effects observed for diameters $\lesssim 100\,$nm are still under discussion.