Fourier's Law confirmed for a class of small quantum systems

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Fourier's Law of heat conduction holds in small quantum systems modeled by an interacting spin chain within the Lindblad formalism, showing linear transport behavior is common even at quantum scales.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive analysis confirming Fourier's Law in small quantum systems using a fully quantum approach and various interaction types.

Findings

Normal heat conduction observed in a wide range of couplings

Linear transport behavior is generic in small quantum systems

Fourier's Law is confirmed for the studied quantum models

Abstract

Within the Lindblad formalism we consider an interacting spin chain coupled locally to heat baths. We investigate the dependence of the energy transport on the type of interaction in the system as well as on the overall interaction strength. For a large class of couplings we find a normal heat conduction and confirm Fourier's Law. In a fully quantum mechanical approach linear transport behavior appears to be generic even for small quantum systems.