Subdiffusive Energy Transport and Antipersistent Correlations Due to the Scattering of Phonons and Discrete Breathers

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates subdiffusive energy transport with antipersistent correlations in a Hamiltonian lattice, explained by phonon and discrete breather scattering, revealing mechanisms behind extremely slow energy transfer.

Contribution

It provides a systematic study of subdiffusive energy transport in Hamiltonian lattices with long-range interactions, highlighting the roles of phonon and breather scattering.

Findings

Energy subdiffusion observed in the lattice system.

Antipersistent correlations are present during transport.

Scattering of phonons and discrete breathers explains the slow energy transfer.

Abstract

While there are many physical processes showing subdiffusion and some useful particle models for understanding the underlying mechanisms have been established, a systematic study of subdiffusive energy transport is still lacking. Here we present convincing evidence that the energy subdiffusion and its antipersistent correlations take place in a Hamiltonian lattice system with both harmonic nearest-neighbor and anharmonic long-range interactions. We further understand the underlying mechanisms from the scattering of phonons and discrete breathers. Our result sheds new light on understanding the extremely slow energy transport.