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Reciprocity of thermal diffusion in time-modulated systems

Author

Listed:
  • Jiaxin Li

    (National University of Singapore
    Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Ying Li

    (National University of Singapore
    Zhejiang University
    The Electromagnetics Academy of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University)

  • Pei-Chao Cao

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Minghong Qi

    (Zhejiang University
    The Electromagnetics Academy of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University)

  • Xu Zheng

    (University of Colorado)

  • Yu-Gui Peng

    (City University of New York)

  • Baowen Li

    (University of Colorado
    University of Colorado)

  • Xue-Feng Zhu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Andrea Alù

    (City University of New York
    City University of New York)

  • Hongsheng Chen

    (Zhejiang University
    The Electromagnetics Academy of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University)

  • Cheng-Wei Qiu

    (National University of Singapore)

Abstract

The reciprocity principle governs the symmetry in transmission of electromagnetic and acoustic waves, as well as the diffusion of heat between two points in space, with important consequences for thermal management and energy harvesting. There has been significant recent interest in materials with time-modulated properties, which have been shown to efficiently break reciprocity for light, sound, and even charge diffusion. However, time modulation may not be a plausible approach to break thermal reciprocity, in contrast to the usual perception. We establish a theoretical framework to accurately describe the behavior of diffusive processes under time modulation, and prove that thermal reciprocity in dynamic materials is generally preserved by the continuity equation, unless some external bias or special material is considered. We then experimentally demonstrate reciprocal heat transfer in a time-modulated device. Our findings correct previous misconceptions regarding reciprocity breaking for thermal diffusion, revealing the generality of symmetry constraints in heat transfer, and clarifying its differences from other transport processes in what concerns the principles of reciprocity and microscopic reversibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiaxin Li & Ying Li & Pei-Chao Cao & Minghong Qi & Xu Zheng & Yu-Gui Peng & Baowen Li & Xue-Feng Zhu & Andrea Alù & Hongsheng Chen & Cheng-Wei Qiu, 2022. "Reciprocity of thermal diffusion in time-modulated systems," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27903-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27903-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Ying Li & Minghong Qi & Jiaxin Li & Pei-Chao Cao & Dong Wang & Xue-Feng Zhu & Cheng-Wei Qiu & Hongsheng Chen, 2022. "Heat transfer control using a thermal analogue of coherent perfect absorption," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Huagen Li & Dong Wang & Guoqiang Xu & Kaipeng Liu & Tan Zhang & Jiaxin Li & Guangming Tao & Shuihua Yang & Yanghua Lu & Run Hu & Shisheng Lin & Ying Li & Cheng-Wei Qiu, 2024. "Twisted moiré conductive thermal metasurface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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