Modeling a System of Distinguishable Oscillators

[Philip Wood]

Does anyone know of a real system for which a collection of (weakly coupled) identical oscillators is a better model than it is for a solid?

Diatomic gas molcules are a possibility, but I'm really looking for a system of distinguishable oscillators, which no doubt dictates oscillators at (roughly) fixed sites.

It would also be good if the oscillator frequency were dependent in some clear way on a macroscopic variable such as strain or a field strength. This is probably too much to expect!

 

[DrDu]

Doesn't the Einstein model describe well a solid formed of diatomic molecules, at least as far as the internal vibrations of the molecule ("optical modes") are concerned?

 

[Philip Wood]

Thanks for replying. You may well be right. How do you envisage that the diatomic molecules are held together to make the solid? Do you have a particular solid in mind? I need the oscillators to be quasi-independent from the lattice, as I'm looking for a practical near-realisation of a collection of monoperiodic oscillators, as an example for teaching purposes.