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Published on: March 30, 2017
Universal Kardar-Parisi-Zhang transient diffusion in nonequilibrium anharmonic chains
Yi Ming1, Hao Hu1, Hui-Min Li2
1School of Physics and Optoelectronics Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China.
Nonlinear fluctuating hydrodynamics theory typically classifies anharmonic chains into Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) or Gaussian classes. This study reveals that nonequilibrium transient diffusion in these chains exclusively follows the KPZ class, driven by soliton dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear dynamics
- Statistical physics
- Condensed matter theory
Background:
- Nonlinear fluctuating hydrodynamics theory classifies diffusions in anharmonic chains into Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) and Gaussian universality classes.
- The KPZ class applies to chains with asymmetric potentials or nonzero static pressure.
- The Gaussian class applies to chains with symmetric potentials at zero static pressure, exemplified by Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou (FPUT)-β chains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the universality classes of nonequilibrium transient diffusion in anharmonic chains.
- To reveal the underlying mechanisms governing this diffusion process.
- To identify the primary carriers of nonequilibrium transient diffusion.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nonlinear fluctuating hydrodynamics theory.
- Investigation of nonequilibrium transient diffusion in anharmonic chains, specifically FPUT-β chains.
- Examination of momentum correlation and sound mode dynamics.
Main Results:
- The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) class is identified as the sole universality class for nonequilibrium transient diffusion in anharmonic chains.
- This is evidenced by the KPZ scaling of side peaks in momentum correlation, corresponding to sound mode correlations.
- Nonequilibrium soliton dynamics induce a nonzero transient pressure, leading sound modes to approximate the noisy Burgers equation.
Conclusions:
- The Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou (FPUT)-β chains exhibit unexpected KPZ universality in nonequilibrium transient diffusion.
- Soliton collisions are demonstrated to yield the KPZ dynamic exponent for soliton dispersion.
- Solitons are identified as the carriers responsible for nonequilibrium transient diffusion in these systems.
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