High-temperature silicon thermal diode and switch. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kasprzak, Maciej; Sledzinska, Marianna; Zaleski, Karol; Iatsunskyi, Igor; Alzina, Francesc; Volz, Sebastian; Sotomayor Torres, Clivia M.; Graczykowski, Bartlomiej
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 78(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Thermal rectification -- Thermal switch -- Raman thermometry -- Thermal diode -- High temperatures -- Thermoelectrics; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: A thermal rectifier/diode is a nonreciprocal element or system that enables preferential heat transport in one direction. In this work we demonstrate a single-material thermal diode operating at high temperatures. The diode is made of nanostructured silicon membranes exhibiting spatially and temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and, therefore, falling into the category of spatially asymmetric, nonlinear nonreciprocal systems. We used an all-optical state-of-the-art experimental technique to prove rectification along rigorous criteria of the phenomenon. Using sub-milliwatt power we achieve rectification of about 14%. In addition, we demonstrate air-triggered thermal switching and passive cooling. Our findings provide a CMOS-compatible platform for heat rectification and applications in energy harvesting, thermal insulation and cooling, as well as sensing and potentially thermal logic. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Single material thermal rectifier/diode is fabricated from thin holey silicon membranes. The diode operates at 300–1000 K, sub-milliwatt driving power and rectification of about 14%. The device can operate as air-triggered thermal switch or passive cooler. The surface-to-volume ratio is the key parameter governing the rectifier performance.