Thermal conductivity of skutterudite thin films and superlattices

Experimental results on the temperature-dependent cross-plane thermal conductivity of skutterudite thin films are presented. The films examined include IrSb3, CoSb3, and Ir0.5Co0.5Sb3 single layers, and IrSb3/CoSb3 superlattices that are grown by pulsed-laser deposition. A differential 3ω method is used to measure the cross-plane thermal conductivity of these films from 80 to 300 K. The experimental results show a significant reduction in their thermal conductivity values compared to those of their corresponding bulk samples reported in literature. Possible mechanisms contributing to the thermal conductivity reduction are discussed.