Heat transport in coupled inhomogeneous chains

Abstract

We first investigate the heat transport in a network model consisting of two coupled dimerized chains. Results indicate that the thermal resistance of each chain increases with the decrease of the mass ratio γ of the two types of atoms. Then, we find, when a light impurity or a heavy one is added in the two coupled homogeneous chains and coupled with a particle of another chain, the interface thermal resistances R l int and R r int present different dependences on the mass ratio γ . Finally, a persistent circulation of energy current is observed in coupled inhomogeneous chains with two pairs of interchain coupling.