Optimization of segmented cooling leg

A method for calculating the segmented thermoelectric cooling leg in the one-dimensional approximation by the heat balance method with effective values of the thermoelectric parameters, i.e., the conductivity $\sigma$, Seebeck coefficient $\alpha$, and thermal conductivity $\kappa$, is proposed. This method accurately accounts for the temperature dependences of $\sigma$, $\alpha$, $\kappa$. The effect of the contact resistances on the resulting efficiency is also adequately taken into account. A method for passing from leg calculation to the thermoelement calculation is presented.