Rectification of low-frequency thermal waves in graded Si c Ge 1−c

We study propagation of low-frequency thermal waves in graded SicGe1-c. We show that in some ranges of stoichiometry variation one obtains rectification of thermal waves, i.e., the system allows the propagation of waves in one direction but not in the opposite one through the graded system, or through a thin graded layer separating two different systems. The rectification of low-frequency thermal waves could be switched by imposing on the graded layer a suitable temperature gradient. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.