In lattice systems, the effects of optical phonons on heat transport are usually neglected due to their relatively small group velocities compared with acoustic phonons, or even assumed to be negative because introducing optical phonons may simultaneously reduce the group velocities of acoustic phonons. In order to well understand the role played by optical phonons, we propose a one-dimensional anharmonic lattice model with alternating interactions, where the optical phonons can be conveniently tuned. We find that in contrast to previous studies, the optical phonons (in coordination with the nonlinearities) can enhance heat transport in the thermodynamical limit, suggesting that optical phonons can also play an active role. The underlying mechanism is related to the effects of two kinds of nonlinear excitations, i.e., the optical and the gap discrete breathers (DBs). These DBs release energy and in turn facilitate heat transport.

• Received 20 June 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.88.052128