Abstract Scope |
Independent control of thermoelectric (TE) properties, determined by intrinsic electronic and lattice structures as well as their coupled properties, has been a key to enhance the figure of merit (ZT) of TE materials. Introducing nanostructures has been able to significantly suppress the thermal conductivity while maintaining electrical properties, correspondingly achieving higher ZT. I introduce a new approach to manipulate heat transport leveraging surface modes, unlike traditional methods that often involve intricate adjustments to lattice parameters within solids. The surface modes are mediated by so-called surface phonon polariton (SPhP), which is a new quantum of energy coupled by optical phonons and photons. It contributes to high radiative heat loss from the surfaces, resulting in less heat conduction through the volume. In this talk, I will also introduce our novel experimental platform to quantify the contribution of SPhPs as well as to measure the apparent thermal conductivity in an individual nanopillar. |