Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to elucidate the important factors in mechanical energy transfer between carbon nanotubes. Our calculations show that sharp resonance effects allow for near complete and highly efficient energy transfer. In addition, the weak coupling between two nanotubes sets the time scale for the energy transfer. The simulations provide the mechanistic basis for a theoretical description of lattice vibration mediated heat flow in nanoscale materials.

• Received 15 June 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.125503