THERMAL DIODE FOR ENERGY CONVERSION

摘要

Solid state thermionic energy converter semiconductor diode implementation and method for conversion of thermal energy to electric energy, and electric energy to refrigeration. In embodiments of this invention a highly doped n* region can serve as an emitter region, from which carriers can be injected into a gap region. The gap region can be p-type, intrinsic, or moderately doped n-type. A hot ohmic contact is connected to the n*-type region. A cold ohmic contact serves as a collector and is connected to the other side of the gap region. The cold ohmic contact has a recombination region formed between the cold ohmic contact and the gap region and a blocking compensation layer that reduces the thermoelectric back flow component. The heated emitter relative to the collector generates an EMF which drives current through a series load. The inventive principle works for hole conductivity, as well as for electrons.