Anomalous Thermal Transport of SrTiO$_3$ Driven by Anharmonic Phonon Renormalization

Abstract

SrTiO$_3$ has been extensively investigated owing to its abundant degrees of freedom for modulation. However, the microscopic mechanism of thermal transport especially the relationship between phonon scattering and lattice distortion during the phase transition are missing and unclear. Based on deep-potential molecular dynamics and self-consistent \textit{ab initio} lattice dynamics, we explore the lattice anharmonicity-induced tetragonal-to-cubic phase transition and explain this anomalous behavior during the phase transition. Our results indicate the significant role of the renormalization of third-order interatomic force constants to second-order terms. Our work provides a robust framework for evaluating the thermal transport properties during structural transformation, benefitting the future design of promising thermal and phononic materials and devices