Effects of Discrete Breathers on Thermal Transport in the $$\phi ^4$$ Lattice

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss thermal transport in the \(\phi ^4\) lattice which bears the feature of nonconserved momentum, and therefore its thermal transport behavior is usually suggested to be normal, i.e. following the empirical Fourier’s law. However, a full understanding of the mechanism behind this normal behavior is still incomplete. Here, we present evidence about this mechanism stemming from the interactions of phonons with discrete breathers.