Thermal conductivity of solid deuterium by the 3ω method

The thermal conductivity of solid D-2 is measured by the 3 omega method, in which a wire embedded in the medium serves as both a heater and a temperature sensor. Conductivity values are obtained by fitting experimental data with a two-dimensional model that calculates heat flow in both the axial and radial directions as a function of frequency. The model provides the thermal conductivity of D-2 from the measurement of the 3 omega voltage and published values of specific heat and density of D-2 and of the sensor wire, and thermal conductivity values for the sensor wire. Data for D-2 gas and liquid are obtained for comparison to solid D-2. Conductivity values obtained for solid D-2 range from 0.35 +/- 0.01 W/(m K) at 18.6 K to 0.75 +/- 0.02 W/(m K) at 13.4 K and are the same for normal and ortho D-2. These values are acquired at lower temperatures than the 3 omega method has previously been used for. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4739285]