Anomalous near-field heat transfer in carbon-based nano-structures with edge states

TL;DR

This paper reveals that localized edge states in carbon nano-structures cause anomalously high near-field heat transfer, surpassing previous results and enabling potential thermal switching applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates the role of electronic edge states in enhancing near-field heat transfer in carbon-based nanostructures, with experimental feasibility and practical implications.

Findings

Maximum heat transfer at feasible gap distances due to edge states

Heat flux surpasses previous records by several orders of magnitude

Edge states enable active thermal switching

Abstract

We find an unusually optimal near field heat transfer, where the maximum heat transfer is reached at experimentally feasible gap separation. We attribute this to the localized zero-energy electronic edge states, which also substantially changes the near-field behaviors. We demonstrate these anomalous behaviors in two typical carbon-based nano-structures: zigzag single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nano-triangles. For the system of carbon nanotubes, the maximal heat flux in this work surpasses all the previous results reported so far by several orders of magnitude. The underlying mechanisms for the peculiar effects are uncovered from a simple Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. Our findings also offer a novel route to active near-field thermal switch, where the heat flux can be modulated through tuning the presence or absence of edge states.