Thin-film thermoelectric cooling

Basic physical features of thermoelectric cooling in p-n structures of a submicrometer thickness, which is manifested even in the linear approximation in current, are investigated. It is shown that a multitem-perature model in which each subsystem of quasi-particles is characterized by its own temperature is effective for studying such structures. The criteria for applicability of the one-temperature model are established. The common structure of the boundary conditions for heat fluxes through the surface at which thermoelectric cooling or heating takes place is revealed. Physical regularities are studied for the most interesting cases; the criteria for their implementation are also considered.