Breaking the symmetry of a Brownian motor with symmetric potentials

• The directed transport of Brownian particles requires a system with an asymmetry and with non-equilibrium noise. Here we investigate numerically alternative ways of fulfilling these requirements for a two-state Brownian motor, realized with Brownian particles alternating between two phase-shifted, symmetric potentials. We show that, besides the previously known spatio-temporal asymmetry based on unequal transfer rates between the potentials, inequalities in the potential depths, the frictions, or the equilibrium temperatures of the two potentials also generate the required asymmetry. We also show that the effects of the thermal noise and the noise of the transfer's randomness depend on the way the asymmetry is induced.  

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Statistical physics

Statistisk fysik

fysik

Physics

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)