Transient thermoelectric cooling of optoelectronic devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an optoelectronic device; and
a thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled to the optoelectronic device and operatively coupled to substantially synchronize a transient cooling operation of the thermoelectric cooler with an operation of the optoelectronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermoelectric cooler may be transiently operated in substantial synchronization with operation of an optoelectronic device to provide extremely high density and intensity spot cooling when and where desired. The invented techniques described and illustrated herein can permit high luminous flux and/or longer lifetimes for a class of emissive device configurations and/or uses that generate intense highly localized, but transient heat flux. For example, certain Light Emitting Diode (LED) applications, e.g., white LEDs for flash illumination, certain solid state laser configurations and other similar configurations and uses may benefit from the developed techniques. In addition, the invented techniques described and illustrated herein can be employed in sensor configurations to provide greater device sensitivity. For example, in photosensitive device applications, e.g., CCD/CMOS imagers, the invented techniques may be employed to provide greater photon sensitivity and lower dark currents.
49 Citations
51 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an optoelectronic device; and
a thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled to the optoelectronic device and operatively coupled to substantially synchronize a transient cooling operation of the thermoelectric cooler with an operation of the optoelectronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method comprising:
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transiently cooling an optoelectronic device using a thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled thereto; and
substantially synchronizing the transient cooling with an operation of the optoelectronic device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus comprising,
an optoelectronic device; -
a thermoelectric cooler thermally coupled to the optoelectronic device; and
a synchronization circuit coupled to substantially synchronize a transient cooling operation of the thermoelectric cooler with an operation of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. The method comprising:
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transiently cooling an optoelectronic device using a thermoelectric cooler; and
wherein the transient cooling is performed at least partially prior to, and in anticipation of, an operation of the optoelectronic device. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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46. A method of making an imaging product, the method comprising:
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thermally coupling a thermoelectric cooler to an optoelectronic device; and
coupling a synchronization circuit to at least one of the optoelectronic device and the thermoelectric cooler to substantially synchronize a transient cooling operation of the thermoelectric cooler with an operation of the optoelectronic device. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification