Influence of Order–Disorder Transition on Thermal Conductivity of Solids

The relation between the crystalline structure and thermal properties of solids is analyzed. The brief description of the theories of heat conduction in polycrystalline solids (Callaway model) and amorphous solids (Cahill–Pohl) model is carried out. It is shown that transition from the heat transport by phonons in polycrystals to the random energy transfer between localized oscillators in glasses leads to the meaningful reduction of the thermal conductivity. This conclusion is illustrated by experimental data. The limitations of obtaining thin films with good thermal properties are underlined.