Heat flux direction controlled by power-law oscillators under non-Gaussian fluctuations

Abstract

Chains of particles coupled through anharmonic interactions and subject to non-Gaussian baths can exhibit paradoxical outcomes such as heat currents flowing from colder to hotter reservoirs. Aiming to explore the role of generic non-harmonicities in mediating the contributions of non-Gaussian fluctuations to the direction of heat propagation, we consider a chain of power-law oscillators, with interaction potential $V(x) \propto |x|^\alpha$, subject to Gaussian and Poissonian baths at its ends. Performing numerical simulations and addressing heuristic considerations, we show that a deformable potential has bidirectional control over heat flux.