Abstract:
A semiconductor element for a thermoelectric heat pump, with a body of semiconducting material which is shaped as a shell with essentially constant wall thickness, a first cup-shaped metal electrode in contact with the outer surface of the body, a second metal electrode in contact with the inner surface of the body, both electrodes having smaller cross sections at the open end of the cavity defined by said first electrode, whereby forces tending to pull the electrodes apart are prevented from exerting any tensile or shear stresses on the semiconductor material.