The thermal conductivity of dielectric solids at low temperatures (Theoretical)

Abstract The statistical equilibrium of phonons in the presence of a temperature gradient is investigated, and a general formula for the thermal conductivity of dielectric solids is obtained. This is applied to quartz glass, giving good agreement with values observed by Berman (1951), and to crystals. Comparison between theory and experiment are made for alkali-halides and quartz, and conclusions are drawn about the defects in neutron-irradiated quartz.