One-Dimensional Quantum Confinement Effect Modulated Thermoelectric Properties in InAs Nanowires

We report electrical conductance and thermopower measurements on InAs nanowires synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. Gate modulation of the thermopower of individual InAs nanowires with diameter around 20nm is obtained over T=40 to 300K. At low temperatures (T< ~100K), oscillations in the thermopower and power factor concomitant with the stepwise conductance increases are observed as the gate voltage shifts the chemical potential of electrons in InAs nanowire through quasi-one-dimensional (1D) sub-bands. This work experimentally shows the possibility to modulate semiconductor nanowire's thermoelectric properties through the peaked 1D electronic density of states in the diffusive transport regime, a long-sought goal in nanostructured thermoelectrics research. Moreover, we point out the importance of scattering (or disorder) induced energy level broadening in smearing out the 1D confinement enhanced thermoelectric power factor at practical temperatures (e.g. 300K).