Near-field thermal modulator between nanoparticles based on the multilayered structure

Abstract

• We develop the calculation model for radiative heat flux between arbitrary multiple nanoparticles placed on opposite sides of the multilayered slab. • The coupling of particle resonance and excited multilayered surface polaritons plays a dominant role in RHT between particles. • The phase change feature of VO 2 can achieve the dramatically active modulation of the RHT between two particles. • The impacts of particle-slab distance and the thickness of the multilayered slab on the thermal control effect are studied. • We can achieve various thermal modulation effects between particle clusters, including thermal switching, thermal modulation, and thermal amplification. We propose a near-field thermal modulator between nanoparticles based on a multilayered slab consisting of the phase change material. Initially, we present a calculation model for radiative heat transfer (RHT) between multiple nanoparticles placed on opposite sides of the multilayered slab. Subsequently, we proceed to analyze the case of two particles, demonstrating that the multilayered slab is capable of providing a robust transmission channel for RHT between the particles. This is achieved through the coupling of particle resonance and excited surface polaritons of the multilayer. Furthermore, the phase change feature can be utilized to switch the transmission channel, thereby achieving active modulation of the RHT. The impact of particle-slab distance and the thickness of the multilayered slab on the thermal control effect is investigated. Moreover, we explore the thermal modulation functions of the RHT in a more complex system where particle clusters are located on opposite sides of the multilayered slab, achieving various thermal modulation effects between particle clusters, including thermal switching, thermal modulation, and thermal amplification.