Work

Performances of far- and near-field thermophotonic refrigeration devices from the detailed-balance approach

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We study a near-field thermophotonic (NF-TPX) refrigerating device, consisting of a light-emitting diode and a photovoltaic cell in close proximity. Calculations are performed in the frame of the detailed-balance approach. We study how thermal radiation, separation distance, and light-emitting diode temperature can affect both cooling power and coefficient of performance. More specifically, we assess the impact of bandgap energy and quantum efficiency for an artificial material on those cooling performances. For a particular device made of GaAs and/or AlGaAs we show that, in the near-field regime, the cooling power can be increased by one order of magnitude compared to far field. However, a 10% reduction of the quantum efficiency can lead to a decrease of the cooling power by two orders of magnitude. Finally, we compare existing literature data on electroluminescent, TPX and thermoelectric cooling with our detailed-balance prediction, which highlights design-rule requirements for NF-TPX cooling devices.

Source: Journal of Applied Physics

DOI: 10.1063/5.0274193

Authors: Thomas Châtelet, Julien Legendre, Olivier Merchiers, Pierre-Olivier Chapuis

Institutions: Lyon 1 Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre d'Énergétique et de Thermique de Lyon, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon, Institute of Photonic Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500