Predicting and identifying finite-size effects in current spectra of one-dimensional oscillator chains

Abstract

The existence of a finite-size effect in one-dimensional oscillator systems causing the energy current power spectrum to saturate to a constant value at low frequencies is discussed. It is shown that a mode-coupling theory presented in earlier papers can be used to predict the frequency of onset of this finite-size effect. This can be used by researchers to plan simulations with large enough numbers of particles to avoid the presence of this finite-size effect.