Solid state thermal switch

摘要

A solid state thermal switch providing thermal conductivity in an ON state and enhanced thermal isolation in an OFF state. The thermal switch is manufactured on a substrate by forming an oxide layer under a thin semiconducting layer. The thin semiconducting layer can be made from silicon or a silicon geranium lattice structure. The thin silicon layer is cracked by a neutron bombardment process. A drain and a source are then doped into the thin silicon layer. Cracks in the thin silicon layer disrupt quiescent thermal conductivity in the electron transport layer between the drain and source when the solid state thermal switch is in the OFF state. The thin semiconducting layer transports electrons and heat when the solid state thermal switch is in the ON state. The cracks created in the silicon layer provide thermal isolation from the drain to the source when the thermal switch is in an OFF state and allow heat conduction when the solid state thermal device is in the ON state.