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A solid state thermoelectric refrigeration apparatus suitable for cooling various types of optical radiation detectors to desired operating temperatures, without the need for augmented cooling from any supplementary refrigeration apparatus. The refrigeration apparatus contains several thermoelectric

A solid state thermoelectric refrigeration apparatus suitable for cooling various types of optical radiation detectors to desired operating temperatures, without the need for augmented cooling from any supplementary refrigeration apparatus. The refrigeration apparatus contains several thermoelectric cooling arrays of successively smaller size arranged in a generally pyramidal configuration, with a separate thermally-conductive base plate disposed between each adjacent pair of cooling arrays. The cooling arrays each include Peltier cooling elements arranged in a planar configuration. Polished, thermally-conductive, cup-shaped heat shields are attached to the successive base plates and arranged in a nested relationship, with each heat shield and associated base plate enclosing all of the successively smaller shields and base plates. Each base plate is thermally driven by the preceding thermoelectric cooling array, which also cools the associated heat shield. A window is mounted on an outermost shield which is attached to the hot side of the largest thermoelectric cooling array, thus heating the window to prevent moisture condensation.

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CM,1. A solid state refrigeration apparatus for cooling an optical radiation detector, comprising: a plurality of generally flat thermoelectric cooling arrays of progressively smaller areas, the optical radiation detector being located adjacent the smallest array; a plurality of generally flat, ther

CM,1. A solid state refrigeration apparatus for cooling an optical radiation detector, comprising: a plurality of generally flat thermoelectric cooling arrays of progressively smaller areas, the optical radiation detector being located adjacent the smallest array; a plurality of generally flat, thermally-conducting plates interleaved with, and in thermal contact with, the plurality of thermoelectric cooling arrays, wherein the plates have progressively smaller areas like the corresponding cooling arrays such that the plates and the arrays together form a generally pyramidal shape; and a plurality of generally cup-shaped heat shields of progressively smaller size, each shield attached to, and in thermal contact with, a separate thermally-conducting plate, wherein the heat shields are arranged in a nested relationship, with each shield and associated plate enclosing any smaller heat shields and plates; wherein aligned apertures are formed in the plurality of heat shields, to provide an optical path from the exterior of the apparatus to the optical radiation detector located adjacent the smallest thermoelectric cooling array, within an innermost shield of the plurality of heat shields; and wherein each of the thermally-conducting plates inlcudes a thin, electrically-insulating substrate associated with a separate one of the plurality of cooling arrays.