A possible route is given to achieve enhanced thermoelectric (TE) performance in a spin-orbit (SO) coupled graphene nanoribbon (GNR). The GNR is irradiated with a suitable polarized light so that the transmission function can have asymmetry around the chemical potential, which is the key requirement to enhance the TE performance. The interplay between SO coupling and irradiation on the nature of transmission function is critically investigated. Astounding TE results are obtained in the presence of light irradiation without modifying the other physical parameters of the system. Enhancement of the thermoelectric performance by means of irradiation in a SO coupled system is completely new and has not been explored so far to the best of our concern, and might be applicable as well in other such topological systems.
To know more, click here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2020.09.085
