Micro-fabricated device with thermoelectric device and method of making

Abstract

A micro-fabricated device, includes a support structure having an aperture formed therein, and a device substrate disposed within the aperture. The micro-fabricated device further includes a thermally isolating structure thermally coupling the device substrate to the support structure. The thermally isolating structure includes at least one n-doped region and at least one p-doped region formed on or in the thermally isolating structure and separated from each other. In addition, the thermally isolating structure includes an electrical interconnect connecting at least one n-doped region and at least one p-doped region, forming an integrated thermoelectric device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application and claims the benefit and priority of U. S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 353632 filed Jan. 29, 2003.BACKGROUND Description of the Art [0002] Over the past decade, the demand for cheaper and higher performance electronic devices has led to a growing need to manufacture electronic devices having lower power consumption as well as improved thermal efficiency. Microprocessors are a good example of the ever-increasing demands on power consumption and thus the need to better handle power dissipation. To a large extent these advances have been made possible by increases in packaging density which has led to a significant rise in power dissipation that in turn leads to a substantial increase in chip heat flux. Today's high performance computing devices, if left unaltered will result in peak temperatures that will destroy or damage the silicon-based devices on which microprocessors are typically ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent text describes a problem in the manufacturing of electronic devices, where improving thermal efficiency and controlling thermal losses are mutually exclusive requirements, resulting in compromised performance and increased power consumption. The inability to control thermal losses can lead to reduced performance and increased complexity and cost in the manufacturing process. The patent proposes a solution to this problem by providing a micro-fabricated device with an integrated vacuum system that can improve thermal performance and reduce power consumption. The technical effects of this solution include improved thermal efficiency, reduced power consumption, and improved performance and reliability of electronic devices."

Problems solved by technology

To a large extent these advances have been made possible by increases in packaging density which has led to a significant rise in power dissipation that in turn leads to a substantial increase in chip heat flux.

Today's high performance computing devices, if left unaltered will result in peak temperatures that will destroy or damage the silicon-based devices on which microprocessors are typically formed.

However, in other cases good thermal conduction is limited by the opposing need for electrical isolation.

The end result is an electronic device whose performance is compromised.

The inability to control thermal losses can both, result in a significant increase in power consumption as well as less than optimum performance.

In addition, sub-ambient cooling of electronic devices, such as, for example, high-end mainframe computer systems, typically, utilize refrigeration based systems which significantly add to the complexity and cost.

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