Phase-change radiative thermal diode

Journal Article · Mon Nov 04 00:00:00 EST 2013 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4829618· OSTI ID:22254118

Ben-Abdallah, Philippe ^[1]; Biehs, Svend-Age ^[2]

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1. Laboratoire Charles Fabry, UMR 8501, Institut d'Optique, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud 11, 2, Avenue Augustin Fresnel, 91127 Palaiseau Cedex (France)
2. Institut für Physik, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, D-26111 Oldenburg (Germany)

A thermal diode transports heat mainly in one preferential direction rather than in the opposite direction. This behavior is generally due to the non-linear dependence of certain physical properties with respect to the temperature. Here we introduce a radiative thermal diode which rectifies heat transport thanks to the phase transitions of materials. Rectification coefficients greater than 70% and up to 90% are shown, even for small temperature differences. This result could have important applications in the development of future contactless thermal circuits or in the conception of radiative coatings for thermal management.

• OSTI ID: 22254118
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 103, Issue 19; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COATINGS
HEAT
HEAT TRANSFER
MATERIALS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES