Thermoelectric power of Bi$_{92}$Sb$_{8}$ and Bi$_{85}$Sb$_{15}$ thin films

The results of studying the galvanomagnetic and thermoelectric properties of thin block Bi$_{92}$Sb$_{8}$ and Bi$_{85}$Sb$_{15}$ films on mica and polyimide substrates are presented. The method used for measuring the thermoelectric power allowed us to study the temperature dependence the thermoelectric power, without introducing additional deformations into the substrate–film system. A significant difference in the temperature dependences of the galvanomagnetic and thermoelectric properties of films on mica and polyimide is found. The free charge-carrier concentrations and mobilities in the films on mica and polyimide and levels of the chemical potential for electrons and holes are calculated within the two-band approximation. The difference in the charge-carrier parameters for films on mica and polyimide is associated with strains in the film–substrate system.