Thermophysical properties of 1D materials: Transient characterization down to atomic level

Abstract

The thermophysical properties of 1D micro/nanoscale materials could differ significantly from those of their bulk counterparts due to intensive energy carrier scattering by structures. This work provides an in-depth review of cutting-edge techniques employed for transient characterization of thermophysical properties at the micro/nanoscale scale. In terms of transient excitation, step Joule heating, step laser heating, pulsed laser heating, and frequency domain amplitude-modulated laser heating are covered. For thermal probing, electrical and Raman scattering-based physical principles are used. These techniques enable the measurement of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat from the sub-mm level down to the atomic level (single-atom thickness). This review emphasizes the advantages of these techniques over steady state techniques and their physics, challenges, and potential applications, highlighting their significance in unraveling the intricate thermal transport phenomena to the atomic level of 1D materials.