The frequency dependent phonon Boltzmann equation is transformed to an integral equation over the irreducible part of the Brillouin zone. Simultaneous diagonalization of the collision kernel of that equation and a symmetry crystal class operator allow us to obtain a spectral representation of the lattice thermal conductivity valid at finite frequency. Combining this approach with density functional calculations, an ab initio dynamical thermal conductivity is obtained for the first time. The static thermal conductivity is also obtained as a particular case. The method is applied to C, Si, and ${\mathrm{Mg}}_2\mathrm{Si}$ and excellent agreement is obtained with the available static thermal conductivity measurements.

• Received 15 March 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.265506