Density variations in thermoelectrics

Equations are solved to give the variations in temperature, density, and po tential, when a solid has electrical currents, heat currents, and particle diffusion. Solutions are presented in one dimension for currents down a bar . These solutions are used to calculate the efficiency of a thermoelectric refrigerator, which is optimized to give the coefficient of performance (CO P). The COP depends upon the temperature difference Delta T, but does not d epend upon the density difference Delta n between the two ends of the bar. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)03510-6].