Thermionic refrigeration in low-dimensional structures

Authors

Mark F. O'Dwyer, University of WollongongFollow
Roger A. Lewis, University of WollongongFollow
Chao Zhang, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

22492

Publication Details

O''Dwyer, M. F., Lewis, R. A. & Zhang, C. (2008). Thermionic refrigeration in low-dimensional structures. Microelectronics Journal, 39 597-600.

Abstract

The Richardson equation for thermionic emission is generalised to ND systems. An equation for thermionic emission heat current and an analytical expression for the coefficient of performance of ND thermionic refrigerators are also provided. It is found that when heat backflow is very small, lower-dimensional thermionic refrigerators outperform higher-dimensional systems. Conversely, when heat current backflow is significant, higher-dimensional thermionic refrigerators achieve higher COPs.