Phonon hydrodynamics in bulk insulators and semi-metals

Abstract

Decades ago, Gurzhi proposed that if momentum-conserving collisions prevail among heat-carrying phonons in insulators and charge-carrying electrons in metals, hydrodynamic features will become detectable. In this paper, we will review the experimental evidence emerging in the last few years supporting this viewpoint and raising new questions. The focus of the paper will be bulk crystals without (or with a very dilute concentration) of mobile electrons and steady-state thermal transport. We will also discuss the possible link between this field of investigation and other phenomena, such as the hybridization of phonon modes and the phonon thermal Hall effect.