Thermal conduction in a quantum system

We numerically investigate thermal conduction in quantum dynamics. A one-dimensional quantum spin system is used as a model, which we can make integrable or nonintegrable by controlling parameter values. A different method to simulate heat reservoirs is introduced. Using this method, we perform numerical simulations of the spin chain in contact with two heat reservoirs at different temperatures. As a consequence, a flat temperature profile is observed in the integrable case, while a finite temperature gradient is found in a nonintegrable system. This result suggests that the Fourier heat law may be realized in nonintegrable systems and is consistent with the classical case reported in the literature. © 1996 The American Physical Society.