We study the consequences of a nonlinear generalization of the Maxwell–Cattaneo equation on the speed of propagation of nonlinear thermal waves. It turns out that such speed depends on the amplitude of the waves and it is smaller than the speed of linear (small-amplitude) waves. This is analogous to the optical Kerr effect of nonlinear optics. In analogy with the electro-optical Kerr effect, an imposed external heat flux could be used to control the speed of thermal waves in a material layer. As a particular illustration, we consider an externally tunable lens for heat waves propagating in the layer.

Heat-flux dependence of the speed of nonlinear heat waves: Analogies with the Kerr effect in nonlinear optics

Di Domenico M.
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
Sellitto A.
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2021-01-01

Abstract

We study the consequences of a nonlinear generalization of the Maxwell–Cattaneo equation on the speed of propagation of nonlinear thermal waves. It turns out that such speed depends on the amplitude of the waves and it is smaller than the speed of linear (small-amplitude) waves. This is analogous to the optical Kerr effect of nonlinear optics. In analogy with the electro-optical Kerr effect, an imposed external heat flux could be used to control the speed of thermal waves in a material layer. As a particular illustration, we consider an externally tunable lens for heat waves propagating in the layer.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11386/4755090
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