Nonlinear Seebeck effect in Ni81Fe19|Pt at room temperature

Y Y. Hirata (Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , Tokyo 113-8656,) T T. Kikkawa (Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , Tokyo 113-8656,) H H. Arisawa (Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo 2 , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656,) E E. Saitoh (Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo 2 , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656,)

Abstract

The nonlinear Seebeck effect, nonlinear conversion of a temperature gradient into an electric current, was observed at room temperature. Based on a second-harmonic lock-in method combined with an a.c. temperature gradient, ∇T, we measured a nonlinear Seebeck voltage in NiFe|Pt bilayers at 300 K, the amplitude of which increases in proportion to (∇T)2. We also observed that the nonlinear Seebeck voltage increases as the sample length along the ∇T direction decreases, showing a characteristic scaling law distinct from the conventional linear Seebeck effect. We developed a phenomenological model for the nonlinear Seebeck effect incorporating the spin-current induced modulation of the Seebeck coefficient, which well reproduces the experimental results.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 126, Issue 25
Published June 23, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (4)

Y

Y. Hirata

Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , Tokyo 113-8656,

T

T. Kikkawa

Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , Tokyo 113-8656,

H

H. Arisawa

Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo 2 , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656,

E

E. Saitoh

Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo 2 , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656,