Influence of voltage offsets on measurement of the Seebeck coefficient

Thermoelectric materials enable conversion of heat to electrical energy with no moving parts. The Seebeck coefficient, defined as the ratio of the thermoelectric voltage generated to the applied temperature difference, S = - dV/dT, is an important material property commonly measured in the characterization of new thermoelectric materials, and directly influences energy conversion efficiency. As such, accurate measurement of S is critical to the design and development of new thermoelectric materials. In this work, we have used simulations to evaluate the influence of voltage offsets on the accuracy of Seebeck measurements performed using common protocols. We discuss how the polarity and magnitude of possible voltage offsets can impact the accuracy of the resulting Seebeck values, including the maximum offsets that can be tolerated under various conditions. The results will be of use to the thermoelectric materials research community, particularly for those wishing to characterize and improve experimental measurement of the Seebeck coefficient.