METHOD OF DRIVING THERMOELECTRIC ELEMENT

PURPOSE:To accurately control an object whose temperature is to be controlled even when a temperature distribution is caused inside a temperature control face of a thermoelectric module by a method wherein the thermoelectric module is driven by information on a temperature from a plurality of temperature detection elements. CONSTITUTION:A substrate 14 at one end of a thermoelectric module 10 is constituted of one sheet and is used as a temperature control face 15; an object 16 whose temperature is to be controlled to a temperature To is arranged on the temperature control face 15; in addition, temperature detection elements 17-1, 17-2, 17-3 are arranged. These temperature detection elements are connected to a thermoelectric-module drive current generator 19 via a controller 18. When a plurality of temperature detection elements are used in this manner, information from many points can be obtained; accordingly, even when a temperature distribution is caused inside the temperature control face of the thermoelectric module, it is possible to accurately control the object whose temperature is to be controlled.