Near-field radiative heat transfer between high-temperature superconductors

Abstract

Near-field radiative heat transfer (NFRHT) management can be achieved using high-temperature superconductors. In this work, we present a theoretical study of the radiative heat transfer between two hbox {YBa}_2hbox {Cu}_3hbox {O}_{6.95} (YBCO) slabs in three different scenarios: Both slabs either in the normal or superconducting state, and only one of them below the superconductor critical temperature T_c. The radiative heat transfer is calculated using Rytov’s theory of fluctuating electrodynamics, while a two-fluid model describes the dielectric function of the superconducting materials. Our main result is the significant suppression of the NFRHT when one or both of the slabs are superconducting, which is explained in terms of the detailed balance of the charge carriers density together with the sudden reduction of the free electron scattering rate. A critical and unique feature affecting the radiative heat transfer between high-temperature superconductors is the large damping of the mid-infrared carriers which screens the surface plasmon excitation.