title: Fourier's law from Schrödinger dynamics.
abstract: We consider a class of one-dimensional chains of weakly coupled many level systems. We present a theory which predicts energy diffusion within these chains for almost all initial states, if some concrete conditions on their Hamiltonians are met. By numerically solving the time dependent Schrödinger equation, we verify this prediction. Close to equilibrium we analyze this behavior in terms of heat conduction and compute the respective coefficient directly from the theory.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Theoretical Physics I, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany. mathias@theo1.physik.uni-stuttgart
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gemmer