Near field heat transfer and related phenomena in 2D materials

Thermal quantum fluctuations of transient current densities result in electromagnetic fluctuations giving rise to several fundamental phenomena, such as near-field radiation, Casimir pressure, and quantum friction. Using the cross-spectral density of electric fields within a Green’s function formalism, we derive expressions for the near field transfer coefficient, Casimir force, and quantum friction force for 2D systems described by the most general optical response that takes into account optical anisotropy and Hall response of the materials. This framework is then used to set the stage for calculating the near field transfer with optical response properties obtained from first principles simulations. We then target different classes of 2D systems, such as transition metal dichalcogenides, to establish emerging trends of electronic, structural, and optical properties as means to control and manipulate near-field transfer in real materials.