Performance evaluation and optimum design of a new-type electronic cooling device

Most electronic cooling devices consist of two reservoirs linked by an energy filter, which only allows high-energy electrons to transport from the cold reservoir to the hot reservoir. Here we propose a new type of cooling device, in which a cold reservoir is connected with two hot reservoirs by two energy filters and cooling is achieved by simultaneously removing high energy electrons from and injecting low energy electrons into the cold reservoir. The effects of key parameters such as the chemical potential difference of two hot reservoirs, the center interval and half width of two energy filters, etc. on the performances of the cooling device are discussed in detail. The optimal operating regions of the device are determined. Compared with the traditional electronic cooling device with a single energy filter between the cold and hot reservoirs, the optimal cooling power is doubly enhanced without reducing the COP (coefficient of performance) of the system.