Phononics: A new science and technology of controlling heat flow and processing information by phonons

Abstract

Heat due to lattice vibration (phonons) is traditionally regarded as harmful for information processing. In this paper, we will demonstrate via numerical simulation, theoretical analysis and experiments that, phonons, can be manipulated like electrons. They can be used to carry and process information. Basic phononic devices such as thermal diode, thermal transistor, thermal logic gate and thermal memory will be discussed via nonlinear lattice model. Moreover, we will also discuss how to manipulate and tune thermal conductivity of nanostructure so that to control heat flow. Both theoretical and experimental works will be shown. © 2010 by ASME.