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Asymmetric Joule heat production at a point contact

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Abstract

In the vicinity of a point contact the Joule's heat production is asymmetrical with respect to the plane of the constricting orifice, provided the contact radius is small compared to the mean-free path of the electrons. This effect is measured onn-type Silicon for a variety of contact radii and explained theoretically. Possible applications for thermoelectric coolers are proposed.

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Gerlach-Meyer, U. Asymmetric Joule heat production at a point contact. Appl. Phys. A 33, 161–165 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00618749

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