Near-field radiative heat transfer between a nanoparticle and a graphene grating

The authors explore here the near-field radiative heat transfer between a planar fused silica slab coated with a strip graphene grating and a laterally and/or normally shifted fused silica nanoparticle. For this study, the authors utilize a scattering matrix approach derived from the Fourier modal method augmented with local basis functions. The study identifies a general rule of thumb that delineates two distinct asymptotic regimes: the inhibition regime, in which a lateral shift of the nanoparticle reduces the heat transfer; neutral regime, where the lateral shift's effect on heat transfer becomes negligible. A critical point for understanding the effect of lateral shift on radiative heat transfer is found at the ratio of normal shift to grating period $d/D$\ensuremath{\approx}0.85.