Thermoelectricity of EuCu{2}(Ge{1-x}Si{x}){2} intermetallics

TL;DR

This study investigates how Si-Ge substitution affects the thermoelectric properties of EuCu2(Ge1-xSix)2 intermetallics, revealing the role of Kondo scattering and electronic state fluctuations in their thermopower behavior.

Contribution

It provides a detailed explanation of the thermopower evolution due to Si-Ge substitution, highlighting the impact of Kondo scattering and electronic state fluctuations.

Findings

Thermopower evolution explained by Kondo scattering effects.

Si-Ge substitution acts as chemical pressure altering electronic states.

Fluctuations between Eu 2+ and 3+ states influence thermoelectric properties.

Abstract

The evolution of the thermopower EuCu{2}(Ge{1-x}Si{x}){2} intermetallics, which is induced by the Si-Ge substitution, is explained by the Kondo scattering of conduction electrons on the Eu ions which fluctuate between the magnetic 2+ and non-magnetic 3+ Hund's rule configurations. The Si-Ge substitution is equivalent to chemical pressure which modifies the coupling and the relative occupation of the {\it f} and conduction states.