  We experimentally study energy transport in chains of trapped ions. We use a
pulsed excitation scheme to rapidly add energy to the local motional mode of
one of the ions in the chain. Subsequent energy readout allows us to determine
how the excitation has propagated throughout the chain. We observe energy
revivals that persist for many cycles. We study the behavior with an increasing
number of ions of up to 37 in the chain, including a zig-zag configuration. The
experimental results agree well with the theory of normal mode evolution. The
described system provides an experimental toolbox for the study of
thermodynamics of closed systems and energy transport in both classical and
quantum regimes.
