In 1964 J. M. Luttinger introduced a model for the quantum thermal transport. In this paper we study the spectral theory of the Hamiltonian operator associated to the Luttingers model, with a special focus at the one-dimensional case. It is shown that the (so called) thermal Hamiltonian has a one-parameter family of self-adjoint extensions and the spectrum, the time-propagator group and the Green function are explicitly computed. Moreover, the scattering by convolution-type potentials is analyzed. Finally, also the associated classical problem is completely solved, thus providing a comparison between classical and quantum behavior. This article aims to be a first contribution in the construction of a complete theory for the thermal Hamiltonian.
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