REVERSIBLE THERMOELECTRIC CONVERTER

摘要

A reversible thermoelectric converter includes first and second quantum well diodes (10, 20) and an electrical connection between the diodes without a thermal barrier between them. Each diode includes first and second electrodes (40, 42) wherein electrons are quantized in discrete energy levels and a dielectric layer (44) providing a potential barrier between the first and second electrode (40, 42). When electrons in the first diode (10) have a higher temperature than the electrons in the second diode (20), electric voltage fluctuations resulting from transitions of the electrons between the energy levels in the first diode (10) are coupled from the first diode (10) to the second diode (20). The reversible thermoelectric converter can be operated for converting thermal energy to electric energy, as a heat pump or a refrigerator or as an amplifier. A planar array of reversible thermoelectric converter elements provides a desired output voltage and current.