Thermal rectification and negative differential thermal resistance in a driven two segment classical Heisenberg chain

Using computer simulation we investigate thermal transport in a two segment classical Heisenberg spin chain with nearest neighbor interaction and in the presence of an external magnetic field. The system is thermally driven by heat baths attached at the two ends and transport properties are studied using energy conserving dynamics. We demonstrate that by properly tuning the parameters thermal rectification can be achieved-the system behaves as a good conductor of heat along one direction but becomes a bad conductor when the thermal gradient is reversed, and crucially depends on nonlinearity and spatial asymmetry. Moreover, suitable tuning of the system parameters gives rise to the counterintuitive and technologically important feature known as negative differential thermal resistance (NDTR). We find that the crucial factor responsible for the emergence of NDTR is a suitable mechanism for impeding the current in the bulk of the system.