Through an exact analysis using quantum Langevin dynamics, we demonstrate the crossover from ballistic to diffusive thermal transport in a harmonic chain with each site connected to Ohmic heat reservoirs. The temperatures of the two heat baths at the boundaries are specified from the beginning, whereas the temperatures of the interior heat reservoirs are determined self-consistently by demanding that in the steady state, on average, there is no heat current between any such (self-consistent) reservoir and the harmonic chain. The essence of our study is that the effective mean free path separating the ballistic regime of transport from the diffusive one emerges naturally.

• Received 3 March 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.77.062102