Dependent Scattering of Acoustic Phonons From Particles Embedded in an Anisotropic Medium
Dependent scattering of acoustic phonons by multiple nanometer-scale inclusions in anisotropic media is investigated using a new molecular dynamics simulation technique. The spectral-directional characteristics of the scattering are found by calculation of three-dimensional scattering phase functions and cross sections for inclusions of varying sizes in various spatial arrangements. The technique enables computation of the effects of reflected wave interference and sequential scattering, mode conversion, lattice strain, elastic anisotropy, and atomic-scale granularity on acoustic phonon scattering from structured inclusions. The results will improve understanding and prediction of heat transfer in quantum-dot superlattices and other engineered thermal materials with nanometer-scale structures.