To optimize an operating temperature of a thermoelectric cooler and to obtain an efficient cooling apparatus by providing a first nominal temperature article, a cooling system of a second nominal temperature relatively higher than the first temperature and a thermoelectric cooler disposed to connect the article to the system.

The cooling apparatus 300 has a cooling system 301 for absorbing a thermal energy at a lower temperature T than an ambient temperature such as, for example, like a vapor phase cooling system. A thermoelectric cooler(TEC) 302 for giving a temperature of about T-ΔT to an article 303 by coupling to the system 301 is provided. The article 303 can take an arbitrary form as a solid, gas or liquid. The TEC 302 can be as a multi-stage thermoelectric cooler or single Peltier device for spot cooling the article. The TEC 302 is operated at the temperature T of the ambient temperature or lower to enhance the cooling efficiency of the article 303.