In OPTAGON we investigate if optical refrigeration based on thermophotonics is feasible with presently available and emerging technologies. To this end, we aim to demonstrate optical cooling in integrated devices to validate its potential for next generation cooling at low-to-near-cryogenic temperatures.
Correspondingly, OPTAGON has four main objectives:
- Direct demonstration of thermophotonic cooling
- Establishing the efficiency and feasibility of the cooling near room temperature
- Developing thermal insulators and light extraction methods allowing thermal insulation of the devices
- Demonstrating an optical cooler prototype