Theory of interface scattering of phonons in superlattices

We present an atomic-scale theory of interface scattering of phonons in superlattices. In particular, we describe the scattering as a result of two features, mixing of atoms at interfaces and presence of dislocations at interfaces due to lattice mismatch. We apply the theory to quantitatively explain the thermal conductivity, and its variation with period and temperature, of Si/Ge superlattices.