Thermal rectification in non-linear structures with bulk losses

A mechanism for thermal rectification based on the interplay between non-uniform bulk losses with nonlinearity is presented. We theoretically analyze the phenomenon using an anharmonic array of coupled oscillators coupled to the left and right with two Langevin reservoirs. A third probe thermostat (with temperature $T_B$) is placed in an asymmetric position in the bulk of the lattice thus breaking the translational symmetry and leading to rectification of heat flow. We note that for $T_B=0$ this Langevin term is equivalent to a simple friction. We find that an increase of the friction strength can increase both the asymmetry and heat flux.