The effects of radiative and convective thermal losses on the thermal behav
ior of thin metal films, as described by the microscopic two-step heat cond
uction model, are investigated. It is found that radiative losses from the
electron gas are significant in thin films having (L/T-e(3)) < 10(-22), whi
le radiative losses from the solid lattice are significant when (L/T-e(3))(
T-e(4)/T-l(4)) < 10(-22). Also, it is found that convective losses from the
thin metal film are insignificant in most practical operating conditions.
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