Crossover from incoherent to coherent phonon scattering in epitaxial oxide superlattices

Publication Type
Journal Article
Authors
DOI
10.1038/nmat3826
Abstract
Elementary particles such as electrons or photons are frequent subjects of wave-nature-driven investigations, unlike collective excitations such as phonons. The demonstration of wave-particle crossover, in terms of macroscopic properties, is crucial to the understanding and application of the wave behaviour of matter. We present an unambiguous demonstration of the theoretically predicted crossover from diffuse (particle-like) to specular (wave-like) phonon scattering in epitaxial oxide superlattices, manifested by a minimum in lattice thermal conductivity as a function of interface density. We do so by synthesizing superlattices of electrically insulating perovskite oxides and systematically varying the interface density, with unit-cell precision, using two different epitaxial-growth techniques. These observations open up opportunities for studies on the wave nature of phonons, particularly phonon interference effects, using oxide superlattices as model systems, with extensive applications in thermoelectrics and thermal management. © 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.
Notes
cited By 226
Journal
Nature Materials
Volume
13
Year of Publication
2014
Number
2
Pagination
168-172
ISSN Number
14761122
Keywords
Research Areas
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