Frequency domain analysis of spreading-constriction thermal impedance

Spreading-constriction effects are analyzed in the frequency domain. The existence of a half-pole altering the steady state solution at high frequencies is pointed out. Application to the case of thermoelectric devices allows direct comparison with experimental data because thermal quantities can be measured as electrical signals at the very spot where spreading takes place. Good agreement with theory is shown here for a thermoelectric device in which the particular constriction geometry enhances its effect, making easily observable the difference between frequency domain and the steady state approaches. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4789765]