Thermoelectric effects in a double-dot Aharonov-Bohm interferometer with Rashba spin-orbit interaction

We investigate the thermoelectric effects in a double-dot Aharonov-Bohm interferometer coupled to ferromagnetic leads held at different temperatures. The interplay of Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI) and magnetic flux I center dot induces various interesting spin-dependent interference phenomena. The thermoelectric transport oscillates with I center dot. The peak of the thermopower S and figure of merit ZT splits into two new peaks and its splitting increases with the Rashba induced phase factor phi (R) . With increasing phi (R) S and ZT at I center dot = +/- 2n pi (n = 0,1,2,...) exhibit a conversion from a peak to a valley. In the presence of the interplay of RSOI and I center dot by increasing spin polarization the splitting peaks of S (ZT) become asymmetric and ZT is greatly enhanced. The influence of the quantum dot levels on thermoelectric effects is also analyzed.