On the Potential of Zone Melting for the Growth of Functionally Graded (Bi,Sb)2Te3-Mixed Crystals

A technology for the growth of functionally graded thermoelectric materials based on zone melting is described. The limits of the technique and the influence of the material parameters are calculated from a simple material balance model. First results of Functionally Graded Materials grown by this technique are shown. The crystals are characterized by electron beam microprobe technique and by Seebeck microprobe measurements.