Heat conduction in one-dimensional Yukawa chains

Heat conduction in one-dimensional Yukawa chains is investigated. It is shown numerically that it has the abnormal heat conduction which is proportional to the system size. Effects of asymmetric external potential, the modified Frenkel-Kontorova one, on the heat conduction of system are also studied. It is found that the asymmetric property of external potential can induce asymmetric thermal conductivity that can be used to be a effective thermal rectifier. In certain of system parameters the heat flux are significantly different for two opposite direction. One can parametrically control the heat flux through this system by changing the potential strength and width.