RIS ID
8083
Abstract
The feasibility of using semiconductor heterostructures as cooling devices is currently being studied. Utilising thermionic emission is proposed because of its potentially high cooling power. Multilayer devices have higher efficiency than single layers due to reduced phonon transport, or increased thermal resistance. We have studied the behaviour of thermionic cooling in periodic barriers using 10-layer GaAs/AlxGal-xAs heterostructures. Two methods of measuring cooling and heating are currently being investigated. Micro-thermocouples show temperature changes, but may affect readings because of their finite thermal mass. Also being investigated is the use of a non-contact optical method that relies on the temperature dependence of features in the reflected spectrum of the devices. Preliminary measurements have been carried out on direct band-gap bulk materials such as GaAs and InP and show strong temperature dependence. Cooling, either relative or absolute, has not yet been observed in our first generation devices. Any such cooling may be masked by joule heating in the comparatively large substrate on which the devices are built. Simulations are currently being carried out to determine where the most power is being dissipated in the devices.
Publication Details
Lough, B., Lee, S. P., Dou, Z., Lewis, R. A. & Zhang, C. (2002). Multilayer thermionic cooling in semiconductor heterostructures. Proceedings of the Australian Institute of Physics 15th Biennial Congress 2002 - Physics & Industry working together, 8-11 July 2002 (pp. 364-366). Sydney, Australia: Australian Institute of Physics.