Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
We provide a brief discussion of the Boltzmann equation derived Callaway-Debye relaxation time theory of lattice thermal conductivity of micro- and nano-structured materials (of size greater than 20 nm. Incorporated in the theory is a comprehensive treatment of three-phonon scattering events. Using numerical results from this theory, we present a quantitative investigation of the magnitude and temperature variation of the conductivity of CVD polycrystalline diamond films, suspended GaAs nanostructures, Si nanowires, and AlN micro- and nano-ceramics.