On the Assumption of Detailed Balance in Prediction of Diffusive Transmission Probability During Interfacial Transport

Models intended to predict interfacial transport often rely on the principle of detailed balance when formulating the interfacial carrier transmission probability. However, assumptions invoked significantly impact predictions. Here, we present six derivations of the transmission probability, each subject to a different set of preliminary assumptions regarding the type of scattering at the interface. Application of each case to phonon flux and thermal boundary conductance allows for a final quantitative comparison. Depending on the preliminary assumptions, predictions for thermal boundary conductance span over two orders of magnitude, demonstrating the need for transparency when assessing the accuracy of any predictive model.