Signature of the topological surface state in the thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3

We present electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory for the thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 films. Conductivity and thermopower are computed in the diffusive limit of transport based on the Boltzmann equation. Bulk and surface contributions to the transport coefficients are separated by a special projection technique. As a result we show clear signatures of the topological surface state in the thermoelectric properties.