Thermal conductivity in a one-dimensional superlattice

Abstract

We investigate the phonon thermal conductivity in a one-dimensional superlattice for transport perpendicular to the layers by utilizing analytic methods. A reduction on the thermal conductivity was observed when the layer thickness of the superlattice was increased. Difference in the mass ratio of the atoms in the chain and force constant ratio on alternating layers produced variations in the thermal conductivity. Higher difference of either of these two parameters results in the decrease of the thermal conductivity.