Negative Differential Thermal Resistance Research Articles

Negative differential thermal resistance in a double-chain system

Using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, we study the phenomenon of negative differential thermal resistance (NDTR) in a double-chain system. We investigate the dependence of NDTR on the external potential, inter- and intra-chain interaction and the system size. It is reported that the NDTR can occur in a small double-chain system with weak external potential and weak inter- and intra-chain interaction. We also present the influence of the external potential, inter- and intra-chain interaction and the system size on the heat current of the system through the phonon spectral analysis.

Double negative differential thermal resistance induced by nonlinear on-site potentials

We study heat conduction through one-dimensional homogeneous lattices in the presence of the nonlinear on-site potentials containing the bounded and unbounded parts, and the harmonic interaction potential. We observe the occurrence of double negative differential thermal resistance (NDTR); namely, there exist two regions of temperature difference, where the heat flux decreases as the applied temperature difference increases. The nonlinearity of the bounded part contributes to NDTR at low temperatures and NDTR at high temperatures is induced by the nonlinearity of the unbounded part. The nonlinearity of the on-site potentials is necessary to obtain NDTR for the harmonic interaction homogeneous lattices. However, for the anharmonic homogeneous lattices, NDTR even occurs in the absence of the on-site potentials, for example, the rotator model.

Heat conduction in deformable Frenkel-Kontorova lattices: Thermal conductivity and negative differential thermal resistance

Heat conduction through the Frenkel-Kontorova lattices is numerically investigated in the presence of a deformable substrate potential. It is found that the deformation of the substrate potential has a strong influence on heat conduction. The thermal conductivity as a function of the shape parameter is nonmonotonic. The deformation can enhance thermal conductivity greatly, and there exists an optimal deformable value at which thermal conductivity takes its maximum. Remarkably, we also find that the deformation can facilitate the appearance of the negative differential thermal resistance.

Negative Differential Thermal Resistance in the System Consisting of Dissimilar Anharmonic Lattices

We investigate negative differential thermal resistance (NDTR) in a system consisting of two dissimilar anharmonic lattices exemplified by the Frenkel–Kontorova and Fermi–Pasta–Ulam lattices. Our results show that NDTR depends on the system parameters, such as the coupling constant, interface, and system size. The dependences of NDTR on these system parameters are studied. Possible applications of NDTR in nanoscale heat management and control are also discussed.

Graded anharmonic crystals as genuine thermal diodes: Analytical description of rectification and negative differential thermal resistance

We address the heat flow study starting from microscopic models of matter: we develop an approach and investigate some anharmonic graded mass crystals, with weak interparticle interactions. We calculate the thermal conductivity, and show the existence of rectification and negative differential thermal resistance. Our formalism allows us to understand the mechanism behind the phenomena, and shows that the properties of graded materials make them genuine thermal diodes.

Heat conduction in the nonlinear response regime: Scaling, boundary jumps, and negative differential thermal resistance

We report a numerical study on heat conduction in one-dimensional homogeneous lattices in both the linear and the nonlinear response regime, with a comparison among three prototypical nonlinear lattice models. In the nonlinear response regime, negative differential thermal resistance (NDTR) can occur in both the Frenkel-Kontorova model and the phi4 model. In the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam- beta model, however, only positive differential thermal resistance can be observed, as shown by a monotonous power-law dependence of the heat flux on the applied temperature difference. In general, it was found that NDTR can occur if there is nonlinearity in the onsite potential of the lattice model. It was also found that the regime of NDTR becomes smaller as the system size increases, and eventually vanishes in the thermodynamic limit. For the phi4 model, a phenomenological description of the size-induced crossover from the existence to the nonexistence of a NDTR regime is provided.

Origin of negative differential thermal resistance in a chain of two weakly coupled nonlinear lattices

Negative differential resistance in electronic conduction has been extensively studied, but it is not the case for its thermal counterpart, namely, negative differential thermal resistance (NDTR). We present a classical Landauer formula in which the nonlinearity is incorporated by the self-consistent phonon theory in order to study the heat flux across a chain consisting of two weakly coupled lattices. Two typical nonlinear models of hard and soft on-site potentials are discussed, respectively. It is shown that the nonlinearity has strong impacts on the occurring of NDTR. As a result, a transition from the absence to the presence of NDTR is observed. The origin of NDTR consists in the competition between the temperature difference, which acts as an external field, and the temperature-dependent thermal boundary conductance. Finally, the onset of the transition is clearly illustrated for this model. Our analytical calculation agrees reasonably well with numerical simulations.

Transition from the exhibition to the nonexhibition of negative differential thermal resistance in the two-segment Frenkel-Kontorova model

An extensive study of the one-dimensional two-segment Frenkel-Kontorova (FK) model reveals a transition from the counterintuitive existence to the ordinary nonexistence of a negative-differential-thermal-resistance (NDTR) regime, when the system size or the intersegment coupling constant increases to a critical value. A "phase" diagram which depicts the relevant conditions for the exhibition of NDTR was obtained. In the existence of a NDTR regime, the link at the segment interface is weak and therefore the corresponding exhibition of NDTR can be explained in terms of effective phonon-band shifts. In the case where such a regime does not exist, the theory of phonon-band mismatch is not applicable due to sufficiently strong coupling between the FK segments. The findings suggest that the behavior of a thermal transistor will depend critically on the properties of the interface and the system size.

Negative differential thermal resistance induced by ballistic transport

Using nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics simulations, we study the temperature dependence of the negative differential thermal resistance that appears in two-segment Frenkel-Kontorova lattices. We apply the theoretical method based on Landauer equation to obtain the relationship between the heat current and the temperature, which states a fundamental interpretation about the underlying physical mechanism of the negative differential thermal resistance. The temperature profiles and transport coefficients are demonstrated to explain the crossover from diffusive to ballistic transport. The finite-size effect is also discussed.

Control of heat transport in quantum spin systems

We study heat transport in quantum spin systems analytically and numerically. First, we demonstrate that heat current through a two-level quantum spin system can be modulated from zero to a finite value by tuning a magnetic field. Second, we show that a spin system, consisting of two dissimilar parts---one is gapped and the other is gapless---exhibits current rectification and negative differential thermal resistance. Possible experimental realizations by using molecular junctions or magnetic materials are discussed.

HEAT SWITCH AND MODULATOR: A MODEL OF THERMAL TRANSISTOR

A model of a thermal transistor to control heat flow is reported. Like its electronic counterpart, the thermal transistor is a three-terminal device with the important feature that the heat current through two terminals can be switched or modulated by the temperature of the third terminal. The thermal transistor model is possible because of the negative differential thermal resistance.

Thermal rectification and negative differential thermal resistance in lattices with mass gradient

We study thermal properties of one-dimensional (1D) harmonic and anharmonic lattices with a mass gradient. It is found that a temperature gradient can be built up in the 1D harmonic lattice with a mass gradient due to the existence of gradons. The heat flow is asymmetric in anharmonic lattices with a mass gradient. Moreover, in a certain temperature region, negative differential thermal resistance is observed. Possible applications in constructing thermal rectifiers and thermal transistors by using the graded material are discussed.

Negative differential thermal resistance and thermal transistor

We report on the first model of a thermal transistor to control heat flow. Like its electronic counterpart, our thermal transistor is a three-terminal device with the important feature that the current through the two terminals can be controlled by small changes in the temperature or in the current through the third terminal. This control feature allows us to switch the device between “off” (insulating) and “on” (conducting) states or to amplify a small current. The thermal transistor model is possible because of the negative differential thermal resistance.