Negative-temperature Fourier transport in one-dimensional systems

Abstract

We investigate nonequilibrium steady states in a class of one-dimensional diffusive systems that can attain negative absolute temperatures. The cases of a paramagnetic spin system, a Hamiltonian rotator chain and a one-dimensional discrete linear Schrödinger equation are considered. Suitable models of reservoirs are implemented to impose given, possibly negative, temperatures at the chain ends. We show that a phenomenological description in terms of a Fourier law can consistently describe unusual transport regimes where the temperature profiles are entirely or partially in the negative-temperature region. Negative-temperature Fourier transport is observed both for deterministic and stochastic dynamics and it can be generalized to coupled transport when two or more thermodynamic currents flow through the system.