Nanoscale thermal interface rectification in the quantum regime
Abstract
To enable the on-demand control of heat flow for sustainable energy solutions, we have been longing for functional thermal components at the nanoscale, in analogue to electronic diodes and transistors. Understanding and discovering fundamental mechanisms that drive thermal rectification are critical to advancing this field. Different mechanisms have been proposed for thermal rectification effects in the classical regime. Using anharmonic atomistic Green's function, we discovered a thermal rectification phenomenon in the quantum regime for nanometer-thick three-dimensional solid interfaces. We found that the anharmonic phonon scatterings across the interface act on the temperature-dependent phonon populations on both sides of the interface, generating the necessary nonlinearity to achieve thermal rectification. This intrinsic thermal interface rectification is a universal phenomenon that can be observed and engineered for nanoscale interfaces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 20, 2023
- Source ID
- 10.1063/5.0143038
Entities
People
- Jinghang Dai
- Zhiting Tian
Organizations
- Cornell University
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research