In-plane interfacial phonon transport through multi-layer thin films by theoretical analyses and Monte Carlo simulations

This work studies the in-plane phonon transport through double-layer, superlattice, and four-layer thin films by theoretical analyses Monte Carlo simulations. The spectral diffuse mismatch model adiabatic scattering are taken as interface surface boundary conditions respectively. results indicate that number of thin-film layers has little impact on heat flux distribution within each layer there is a discontinuity at interface. Indentical thermal conductivities obtained for with uniform thickness layer. means negligible impacts conductivity, which can provide first explicit explanation to observation in recent experiment. Finally, minimum conductivity found when varying ratios. extreme points also analytically obtained. law completely different from cross-plane or predicted Fourier's conduction leads monotonic relation between ratio.