a b s t r a c tIn this paper, operator-based robust nonlinear control design scheme and fault detection technique using robust right coprime factorization approach are considered for a Peltier actuated thermal process. The Peltier actuated thermal process is a typical nonlinear control affine system, where the process temperature depends not only on input current, but also on the square of the input current. In addition, the real system is likely to contain a fault signal owing to various factors. As a result, it is difficult to stabilize the control system and to achieve high accurate control performance, and to detect the fault signal to guarantee the engineering safety when a fault occurs. In this paper, for pursuing robust stability and tracking performance of the nonlinear closed-loop control system, a design scheme of operator-based robust tracking control system is proposed by using robust right coprime factorization approach. Then, for the tracking operator control system, a fault detection design technique based on robust right coprime factorization approach is also investigated. Finally, simulation and experimental results are given to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.