Heat superdiffusion in plasmonic nanostructure networks

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that heat transfer in plasmonic nanostructure networks exhibits superdiffusive behavior akin to Lévy flights, enabling faster heat transport than traditional diffusion in solids.

Contribution

It reveals the existence of superdiffusive heat transport regimes in plasmonic networks, expanding understanding of heat dynamics in nanostructured materials.

Findings

Superdiffusive heat transport observed in linear and 3D networks

Heat spread described by Lévy flight dynamics

Potential for designing materials with enhanced heat conduction

Abstract

Heat-transport mechanism mediated by near-field interactions in plasmonic nanostructures networks is shown to be analogous to a generalized random-walk process. Existence of superdiffusive regimes is demonstrated both in linear ordered chains and in three dimensional random networks by analyzing the asymptotic behavior of the corresponding probability distribution function. We show that the spread of heat in these networks is described by a type of L\'{e}vy flight. The presence of such anomalous heat transport regimes in plasmonic networks opens the way to the design of a new generation of composite materials able to transport heat faster than the normal diffusion process in solids.