Seebeck Effect and Seebeck Coefficient

Seebeck Effect

When the two different electrical conductors or semiconductors are kept at different temperatures, the system results in the creation of electrical potential. This was discovered by German physicist Thomas Seebeck (1770-1831). Seebeck discovered this by observing a compass needle which would be deflected when a closed loop was formed between those two different metals or semiconductors. Seebeck initially believed that it was due to the magnetism induced by the temperature difference’s and he called the effect as thermo-magnetic effect. However Danish physicist Hans Christian Orsted realized that it’s an electrical current that is induced, which because of Ampere law deflects the magnet.

Seebeck Coefficient

The voltage produced between the two points on a conductor when a consistent temperature difference of 1° Kelvin is maintained between them is termed as Seebeck coefficient. One such combination of copper constantan, has a seebeck coefficient of 41 micro-volt per Kelvin at room temperature.