Abstract
Size effects in heat conduction, which occur when phonon mean free paths (MFPs) are comparable to characteristic lengths, are being extensively explored in many nanoscale systems for energy applications. Knowledge of MFPs is essential to understanding size effects, yet MFPs are largely unknown for most materials. Here, we introduce the first experimental technique which can measure MFP distributions over a wide range of length scales and materials. Using this technique, we measure the MFP distribution of silicon for the first time and obtain good agreement with first-principles calculations.
- Received 31 May 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.095901
© 2011 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Measuring how far vibrations travel
Published 25 August 2011
Researchers have developed a new technique to determine how far vibrational excitations travel before they scatter, an important parameter for some nanoscale devices.
See more in Physics