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Modeling the quasistatic energy transport between nanoparticles
George Y Panasyuk1, Kirk L Yerkes1
1Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433, USA.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|January 15, 2016
Summary
Phononic energy transport between nanoparticles is mediated by quantum particles. Finite-size effects lead to time-dependent energy currents with unique reversibility and decay features, unlike bulk material predictions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Understanding energy transport in nanoscale systems is crucial for designing novel quantum devices.
- The Drude-Ullersma model describes nanoparticles as reservoirs of harmonic oscillators.
- Previous models often assumed the thermodynamic limit, neglecting finite-size effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate phononic energy transport between nanoparticles mediated by a quantum particle.
- To explore the impact of unequal mode spacings and finite nanoparticle size on energy transport dynamics.
- To analyze the temporal behavior and reversibility of energy currents.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the generalized quantum Langevin equation to model energy transport.
- Considered nanoparticles as finite ensembles of harmonic oscillators with unequal mode spacings.
- Derived and solved equations for averaged eigenmode energies to obtain the energy current expression.
Main Results:
- Unequal mode spacings remove the double degeneracy of system's eigenfrequencies observed in identical nanoparticles.
- Finite-size effects lead to time-dependent energy currents, exhibiting reversibility and decay.
- Identified specific time moments where peculiarities in the energy current occur: t=2πn/Δ(1)+2πm/Δ(2).
Conclusions:
- The study reveals unique temporal characteristics of phononic energy transport in finite-size nanoparticle systems.
- The developed model accurately reproduces bulk material results in the thermodynamic limit (Δ(1,2)→0).
- Demonstrated the model's applicability with an example of platinum nanoparticles mediated by a carbon oxide molecule.
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