The three-dimensional numerical analysis has been carried out to figure out the performance of the thermoelectric micro-cooler. The small-size and column-type thermoelectric cooler is considered. It is known that tellurium compounds currently have the...
The three-dimensional numerical analysis has been carried out to figure out the performance of the thermoelectric micro-cooler. The small-size and column-type thermoelectric cooler is considered. It is known that tellurium compounds currently have the highest cooling performance around room temperature. Thus, in the present study, Bi₂Te₃ and Sb₂Te₃ are selected as the n- and p-type thermoelectric materials, respectively. The thermoelectric leg considered is several 10-micrometer thick. The thickness of the leg may affect the thermal and electrical transport through the interfaces between the leg and metal conductors. The effect of parameters such as the temperature difference, the current, and the cooling power on the performance of the cooler has also been investigated for the thermoelectric micro-cooler.