Band Structure for Thermal Conduction in Multilayered Systems. Thermal Crystals

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of thermal crystals by analyzing thermal wave band structures in multilayered systems using the Cattaneo-Vernotte equation, revealing complex Bloch wave vectors and potential for thermal management.

Contribution

It develops a theoretical framework for thermal band structures in multilayered systems, highlighting the pseudo-band behavior and defect-induced control of heat flow.

Findings

Thermal waves exhibit band-structure characteristics with complex Bloch vectors.

Defects in layered structures can modulate temperature and heat flux.

Thermal crystals can be used for thermal management applications.

Abstract

In this paper we solve the Cattaneo-Vernotte Equation for a periodic heterostructure made of alternate layers of different materials. The solutions describe thermal waves traveling in a periodic system, and it allows us to introduce the concept of thermal crystals. We show that the dispersion relation shows the characteristics of a band-structure, however the corresponding Bloch wave vector is always complex corresponding to pseudo-bands, unlike what happens in photonic or acoustic crystals. In this context, we also discuss the use of the Floquet-Bloch theorem for thermal waves. The case of finite layered structures is also analyzed showing the possibility of changing the temperature and heat flux by introducing defects opening the possibility of thermal management through the pseudo-band structure.