Glass-Like Heat Conduction in Crystalline Semiconductors
Abstract
The thermal conductivity and structural properties of poiycrystalline and single crystal semiconductor type-I germanium clathrates are reported. Germanium clathrates exhibit thermal conductivities that are typical of amorphous materials. This behavior occurs in spite of their well-defined crystalline structure. We employ temperature dependent neutron diffraction data in investigating the displacements of the “caged” strontium atoms in Sr 8 Ga 16 Ge 30 and their interaction with the polyhedral cages that entrap them. Our aim is to investigate the correlation between the structural properties and the low, glass-like thermal conductivity observed in this compound.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
Electronic and Structural Properties of Oxides
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Thermal Conductivity 25/Thermal Expansion 13
- Publisher
- CRC Press
- Pages
- 122–129
- Publication date
- 2 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter