Mass transport theory for the Toda lattices, dispersive and dissipative

Abstract

To establish mass transport theory on nonlinear lattices, we formulate the Korteweg–deVries (KdV) equation and the Burgers equation using the flow variable representation so as to facilitate comparison with the Boltzmann equation and with the Cahn–Hilliard equation in classical statistical mechanics. We also study Toda lattice microdynamics using the Flaschka representation, and compare with the Liouville equation. Like the linear diffusion equation, the Boltzmann equation and the Liouville equation are to be solved for a distribution function, which is intrinsically probabilistic. Transport theory in linear systems is governed by the isotropic motions of the kinetic equations. In contrast, the KdV perturbation equation derived from the Toda lattice microdynamics expresses hydrodynamic mass transport. The KdV equation in hydrodynamics and the Burgers equation in thermodynamics do not involve a probability distribution function. The nonlinear lattices do not retain isotropy of the mass transport equations. In consequence, it is proposed that in the presence of hydrodynamic flows to the left, KdV wave propagation proceeds to the right. This basic property of the KdV system is extended to thermodynamics in the Burgers system. These features arise because linear systems are driven towards an equilibrium by molecular collisions, whereas the inhomogeneities of the nonlinear lattices are generated by the potential energy of interaction. Diffusion as expressed by the Burgers equation is governed not only by a chemical potential, but also by the Toda lattice potential energy.