ENERGY CONVERSION IN HETEROSTRUCTURES FOR THERMIONIC COOLING

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Abstract
The energy conversion between electrons and phonons in a heterostructure is studied for thermionic cooling based on the hot electron approximation. An analytical model is established to study the energy transfer of electrons and phonons on the basis of average values of physical properties. In the model, electrons conduct heat, deposit heat to the local phonons and gain energy from the electric field in the thin film. In the hot substrate (anode), electrons lose their energy quickly to the phonons. Calculations show that the coefficient of performance for those heterojunction coolers is low (below 0.8 for the cases calculated), while the maximum temperature difference between the cold side and the hot side can be high. In order to have a high coefficient of performance, the energy exchange rate between electrons and phonons in the thin film should be small, and it should be large in the substrate to better reject the heat generated in the film.

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