Cryogenic solid state heat pump
US11823974B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2020 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/00
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and/or methods can provide for solid-state refrigeration below 1 degree Kelvin. By applying a simple sequence of ac electrical signals to a gated semiconductor device, electrons are cooled in a refrigeration sequence that, in turn, provides cooling directly to the heat load of interest. Electrons in a single subband of a semiconductor quantum well are expanded adiabatically into several subbands, resulting in a temperature drop. Repeated application of this cycle at MHz-GHz frequencies results in a significant cooling power. The anticipated cooling powers can compete with today's standard cryogenic system, the dilution refrigerator, which represents the market standard for achieving cryogenic temperatures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.