Non rectification of heat in graded Si-Ge alloys

Abstract

We investigate the possibility to obtain a thermal diode with functionally graded Si-Ge alloys. A wire with variable section is considered. After the introduction of a formula giving the thermal conductivity of the wire as a function of the species content and of the diameter of the wire, numerical and analytical results are presented supporting the impracticability to get a thermal diode with the characteristics here considered. However, the present study opens the way to further generalisations amenable to give applicative promising results.