Heat conduction in one-dimensional lattices with on-site potential

The process of heat conduction in one-dimensional lattices with on-site potential is studied by means of numerical simulation. Using the discrete Frenkel-Kontorova, φ⁴, and sinh-Gordon models we demonstrate that contrary to previously expressed opinions the sole anharmonicity of the on-site potential is insufficient to ensure the normal heat conductivity in these systems. The character of the heat conduction is determined by the spectrum of nonlinear excitations peculiar for every given model and therefore depends on the concrete potential shape and the temperature of the lattice. The reason is that the peculiarities of the nonlinear excitations and their interactions prescribe the energy scattering mechanism in each model. For sine-Gordon and φ⁴ models, phonons are scattered at a dynamical lattice of topological solitons; for sinh-Gordon and for φ⁴ in a different parameter regime the phonons are scattered at localized high-frequency breathers (in the case of φ⁴ the scattering mechanism switches with the growth of the temperature).