On the dissipation of energy in a chain of coupled harmonic oscillators

Abstract

The article deals with processes which occur in coupled oscillator chains following an initial impulse imparted to any one of the atoms. In considering one-dimensional chains of coupled harmonic oscillators, their obvious deficiencies are analyzed and taken into account. The effects which energy dissipation losses and transverse vibrations have on propagation of collision waves through a one-dimensional atom chain are evaluated. It stands to reason, of course, to consider only small transverse displacements of atoms in a chain, since otherwise the simplest models become obviously inadequate.