UCLA scientists discover how to guide heat like light at room temperature
Scientists have demonstrated that heat can move through a crystal in focused, wave-like rays at room temperature instead of spreading randomly. The breakthrough could make it possible to route heat around sensitive parts of next-generation chips and quantum devices.
Researchers at UCLA have achieved a groundbreaking discovery in the field of heat management, revealing that heat can be guided and focused like light at room temperature. This opens up new possibilities for enhancing the performance and reliability of electronics, as well as enabling quantum technologies. Led by Yongjie Hu, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UCLA Samueli, the team observed this phenomenon in boron arsenide, a semiconductor with exceptional thermal conductivity.
At room temperature, unlike conventional materials, boron arsenide generated ray-shaped heat patterns aligned with the crystal's specific directions. This quantum behavior of phonons, the atomic vibrations responsible for heat transport, allows for precise control over heat distribution. The researchers developed a technique to map temperature at the nanoscale, revealing distinct patterns in boron arsenide compared to conventional materials that spread heat evenly.
This discovery could help address overheating issues in AI hardware, microelectronic devices, and aerospace systems, while also paving the way for advancements in quantum information systems and sensing technologies.
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