Strong strain-dependent phonon hydrodynamic window in bilayer graphene

Abstract

Phonon hydrodynamics, a collective motion of phonons, has recently attracted renewed attention since its temperature window has been greatly extended in layered materials. The exploration of phonon hydrodynamics bears importance in understanding phonon collective behavior, and its window is crucial for determining the phonon transport regime and engineering the heat transport. Thus, strategies for continuous tuning of the hydrodynamic window are needed, but it remains a challenge. In this work, we demonstrate that the phonon hydrodynamic window in bilayer graphene can be strongly altered by the strain based on theoretical calculations. In particular, the phonon hydrodynamics can be observed at 60 K in unstrained bilayer graphene, while only 0.25% strain can reduce this temperature to 28 K. This strong strain dependence not only provides an efficient way of modulating the phonon collective behavior but also renders a possibility of strain-induced transition of phonon transport regime.