Ultra-low thermal conductivity in W/Al2O3 nanolaminates.

Costescu, R M; Cahill, D G; Fabreguette, F H; Sechrist, Z A; George, S M · Science · 2004

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Atomic layer deposition and magnetron sputter deposition were used to synthesize thin-film multilayers of W/Al(2)O(3). With individual layers only a few nanometers thick, the high interface density produced a strong impediment to heat transfer, giving rise to a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.6 watts per meter per kelvin. This result suggests that high densities of interfaces between dissimilar materials may provide a route for the production of thermal barriers with ultra-low thermal conductivity.