Multijunction Cooling For Efficient Thermal Management

Researchers propose a novel electroluminescent cooling approach using multilayer semiconductors, mimicking photovoltaic cell design for enhanced efficiency.

Scientists from the US Department of Energy have introduced a unique theoretical framework to enhance electroluminescent cooling systems. The research explores how multilayer semiconductor structures, or multijunction configurations, can significantly improve cooling performance by drawing parallels to advanced photovoltaic technologies.

Electroluminescence, the principle behind LED operation, involves injecting charge carriers—electrons and holes—into semiconductors. This process alters their conductive properties and enables them to emit photons, often utilising surrounding heat. By emitting photons, semiconductors cool down, effectively reversing the heat absorption process seen in photovoltaic cells. The findings could particularly benefit industries reliant on high-performance electronics, such as computing, aerospace, and telecommunications, where efficient thermal management is crucial.

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The research delves into a double-junction system comprising gallium arsenide and indium phosphide, materials chosen for their varied energy band gaps. Layers of semiconductors were connected to a cold reservoir and directed photons toward a hot reservoir, simulated as a black body. External voltage supplied to each layer ensured energy flow, forming the core of this innovative cooling mechanism.

“Electroluminescent cooling is essentially the inverse of photovoltaics,” the researchers noted. While multijunction configurations are well-known for boosting solar cell efficiency, their application in cooling has remained largely unexplored until now.

One striking revelation of the analysis was the system’s capacity to optimise performance through layer integration. Combining multiple layers achieved results unattainable by individual layers alone. Moreover, increasing the number of semiconductor layers reduced the voltage requirements per layer, enhancing the coefficient of performance—a metric that gauges energy efficiency.

This multijunction approach underscores the potential of solid-state cooling technologies, giving potential advancement in energy-efficient alternatives in thermal management systems. By borrowing principles from photovoltaics, this research bridges two fields, promising innovations for industries that demand precise and reliable cooling, marking a significant step forward in semiconductor science.