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Controlling the Energy Flow in Nonlinear Lattices: A Model for a Thermal Rectifier

M. Terraneo, M. Peyrard, and G. Casati
Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 094302 – Published 14 February 2002
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Abstract

We address the problem of heat conduction in 1D nonlinear chains; we show that, acting on the parameter which controls the strength of the on-site potential inside a segment of the chain, we induce a transition from conducting to insulating behavior in the whole system. Quite remarkably, the same transition can be observed by increasing the temperatures of the thermal baths at both ends of the chain by the same amount. The control of heat conduction by nonlinearity opens the possibility to propose new devices such as a thermal rectifier.

  • Received 20 October 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.094302

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Terraneo1,3, M. Peyrard2, and G. Casati1,3,4

  • 1International Center for the Study of Dynamical Systems, Universitá degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy
  • 2Laboratoire de Physique, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France
  • 3Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia, Unitá di Como, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy
  • 4Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy

See Also

One-Way Heat Traffic

JR Minkel
Phys. Rev. Focus 9, 11 (2002)

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Vol. 88, Iss. 9 — 4 March 2002

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