Theory for Thermal Wave Refraction: Advection Regulation

Abstract

AbstractIn this chapter, we study thermal waves of conduction and advection and further design advection-assisted metamaterials to realize the positive, vertical, and negative refraction of thermal waves. These results have a phenomenological analog of electromagnetic wave refraction despite different mechanisms. The negative refraction of thermal waves means that the incident and refractive thermal waves are on the same side of the normal, but the wave vector and energy flow are still in the same direction. As a model application, we apply the refractive behavior to design a thermal wave concentrator that can increase wave numbers and energy flows. This work provides insights into thermal wave manipulation, which may have potential thermal imaging applications.