The figure of merit for multilayer thermionic refrigeration is discussed in terms of an effective B factor, which has a similar definition as the B factor in thermoelectrics. We show that high efficiencies for cooling or power generation are only obtained with very high values of this B factor. Such high values can only be attained because of the low thermal conductivity of multilayers. The B factor for thermionics is usually less than the one for thermoelectrics. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)05824-7].
BT - Journal of Applied Physics DA - 12/1999 DO - 10.1063/1.371762 IS - 12 LA - eng N2 -The figure of merit for multilayer thermionic refrigeration is discussed in terms of an effective B factor, which has a similar definition as the B factor in thermoelectrics. We show that high efficiencies for cooling or power generation are only obtained with very high values of this B factor. Such high values can only be attained because of the low thermal conductivity of multilayers. The B factor for thermionics is usually less than the one for thermoelectrics. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)05824-7].
PY - 1999 SP - 6852 EP - 6853 EP - T2 - Journal of Applied Physics TI - The B factor in multilayer thermionic refrigeration UR - http://cvining.com/system/files/articles/vining/Vining-JAP-1999.pdf VL - 86 ER -