Distinct Signatures of Electron–Phonon Coupling Observed in the Lattice Thermal Conductivity of NbSe3 Nanowires

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Abstract
The last two decades have seen tremendous progress in quantitative understanding of several major phonon scattering mechanisms (phonon-phonon, phonon-boundary, phonon-defects), as they are the determinant factors in lattice thermal transport that is critical for the proper functioning of various electronic and energy conversion devices. However, the roles of another major scattering mechanism, electron-phonon (e-ph) interactions, remain elusive. This is largely due to the lack of solid experimental evidence for the effects of e-ph scattering in the lattice thermal conductivity for the material systems studied thus far. Here we show distinct signatures in the lattice thermal conductivity observed below the charge density wave transition temperatures in NbSe3 nanowires, which cannot be recaptured without considering e-ph scattering. Our findings can serve as the cornerstone for quantitative understanding of the e-ph scattering effects on lattice thermal transport in many technologically important materials.
Funding Information
  • U.S. Department of Energy (DE-SC0019068)
  • China Scholarship Council (CSC 201606090029)
  • National Science Foundation (DMR-1308509, DMR-1308550, DMR-1532107)
  • Naval Engineering Education Consortium (N00174-16-C-0008)

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