High-order fluxes in heat transfer with phonons and electrons: application towavepropagation

We propose a theoretical model to study heat transfer at the nanoscale by means of high-order thermodynamic fluxes. The model is fully compatible with the model of heat transfer of extended irreversible thermodynamics, represents a generalization of the Guyer-Krumhansl proposal (Guyer & Krumhansl 1966 Phys. Rev. 148) and is able to deal with relaxational and non-local effects. It also accounts for the role played by the different heat carriers (electrons and/or lattice vibrations) and captures different heat-carrier temperatures. The proposed model is hyperbolic and is used to investigate the propagation of thermal waves.

Automated summary

The proposed theoretical model studies heat transfer at the nanoscale using high-order thermodynamic fluxes, compatible with extended irreversible thermodynamics. It can handle both relaxational and non-local effects, taking into account different heat carriers' temperatures. The model is hyperbolic and used to investigate thermal wave propagation.