The propagation of a pulse in a nonlinear array of oscillators is influenced
by the nature of the array and by its coupling to a thermal environment. For
example, in some arrays a pulse can be speeded up while in others a pulse can
be slowed down by raising the temperature. We begin by showing that an energy
pulse (1D) or energy front (2D) travels more rapidly and remains more localized
over greater distances in an isolated array (microcanonical) of hard springs
than in a harmonic array or in a soft-springed array. Increasing the pulse
amplitude causes it to speed up in a hard chain, leaves the pulse speed
unchanged in a harmonic system, and slows down the pulse in a soft chain.
Connection of each site to a thermal environment (canonical) affects these
results very differently in each type of array. In a hard chain the dissipative
forces slow down the pulse while raising the temperature speeds it up. In a
soft chain the opposite occurs: the dissipative forces actually speed up the
pulse while raising the temperature slows it down. In a harmonic chain neither
dissipation nor temperature changes affect the pulse speed. These and other
results are explained on the basis of the frequency vs energy relations in the
various arrays
