Transient effects in the coupling of thermal radiation and non-Fourier heat transport at the nano-scale

In this work, we study thermalization between two bodies separated by a vacuum gap by coupling the non-Fourier behavior of the materials with the radiative heat transfer in the near-field. Unlike the diffusion-type temperature profile, in non-Fourier materials, the temperature behaves as a wave, changing the thermalization process. Due to the temperature profile induced by the coupling with conduction, we show that the radiative heat flux exchanged between the two bodies differs from the Fourier case and exhibits transient temperature effects at the onset of the thermalization process. These results have important implications in nanoscale thermal management, near-field solid-state cooling, and nanoscale energy conversion.

Automated summary

In this study, the thermalization process between two bodies separated by a vacuum gap was investigated by combining the non-Fourier behavior of materials with near-field radiative heat transfer. It was found that in non-Fourier materials, the temperature behaves as a wave, and transient temperature effects occur at the onset of the thermalization process.