Phys.org March 18, 2024
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University designed a thermal photonic nanodevice for the first measurement of near-field energy transport between two coplanar subwavelength structures over temperature bias up to ∼190 K. Their experimental results demonstrated a 20-fold enhancement in energy transfer beyond blackbody radiation. In contrast with the well-established near-field interactions between two semi-infinite bodies, the subwavelength confinements in nanodevices led to increased polariton scattering and reduction of supporting photonic modes and, therefore, a lower energy flow at a given separation. According to the researchers their work opens new designs for nanodevices, particularly for coplanar near-field energy transport, with implications for the development of efficient nanodevices for energy harvesting and thermal management… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Graphical abstract. Credit: Nano Lett. 2024, 24, 5, 1502–1509, January 26, 2024