Bipolar thermoelectric devices

The work presented here is a theoretical and experimental study of heat production and transport in bipolar electrical devices, with detailed treatment of thermoelectric effects. Both homojunction and heterojunction devices are considered, and particular attention is given to semiconductor laser diodes. The mechanisms that govern both internal heat exchange and heat transfer between a device and its environment are examined, leading to structures which are optimized for thermal management. Thesis Supervisor: Rajeev J. Ram Title: Associate Professor