Minimal model of drag in one-dimensional crystals

TL;DR

This paper presents a minimal classical model for drag in one-dimensional crystals, revealing non-monotonic drag dependence on speed and multiple steady-state velocities under bias, relevant for nanoscale transport phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a non-perturbative classical model capturing complex drag behavior and multiple steady states in 1D crystal systems, advancing understanding of nanoscale transport.

Findings

Drag exhibits non-monotonic dependence on particle speed.

System supports multiple steady-state drift velocities under bias.

Model applicable to nanotube and solid-state ionic conduction phenomena.

Abstract

Using a non-perturbative classical approach, we study the dynamics of a mobile particle interacting with an infinite one-dimensional (1D) chain of harmonic oscillators. This minimal system is an effective model for many 1D transport phenomena, such as molecular motion in nanotubes and ionic conduction through solid-state materials. As expected, coupling between the mobile particle and the chain induces dissipation of the mobile particle's energy. However, both numerical and analytic results demonstrate an unconventional non-monotonic dependence of the drag on particle speed. In addition, when this system is subjected to a constant bias, it supports multiple steady-state drift velocities.