Brownian motion exhibiting absolute negative mobility

We consider a single Brownian particle in a spatially symmetric, periodic system far from thermal equilibrium. This setup can be readily realized experimentally. Upon application of an external static force F, the average particle velocity is negative for F>0 and positive for F<0 (absolute negative mobility).     

Directional motion, current reversals and mass separation in a symmetrical periodic potential

The transport of a symmetric periodic potential driven by a static bias and correlated noises is investigated for both the over-damped case and the under-damped case. By both theoretical approximation and numerical simulations, we study steady current of an over-damped Brownian particle moving in the potential. It is shown that the symmetric periodic potential driven by a static bias and the correlated noises is simultaneously able to exhibit directional transport, a single current reversal, as well as a double current reversal. For the under-damped case, we examine the dynamic at various inertial strengths by direct simulations of the stochastic differential equations. We specially focus on the influence of inertial term in the particle dynamics for the noise induced, directed current. Different directions of the steady current is found for different masses of the particles, thus an efficient scheme to separate the Brownian particles according to their mass is suggested.     

Collective escape processes in many-particle systems

We study collective escape phenomena in nonlinear chain models. First we investigate the fragmentation of an overdamped polymer chain due to thermal fluctuations in the absence of an external force. We calculate the activation times of individual bonds in the coupled chain system and compare them with times obtained from Brownian dynamics simulations. We also consider a grafted chain exposed to an external force which monotonically grows as time goes on. In underdamped situations we show that collective localized excitations in a nonlinear force field with absorbing states can cause polymer fragmentation. In a similar fashion, localized modes assist a thermally activated escape of interacting particles in a metastable potential landscape which is additionally subjected to a periodic driving. The latter is necessary to obtain overcritical elongations which create localized modes even in case of stronger damping.     

Near-surface Brownian motor with synchronously fluctuating symmetric potential and applied force

A model is suggested which accounts for the unidirectional surface-parallel motion of a Brownian particle under the action of fluctuating surface-inclined unbiased external force. The surface-normal force component induces amplitude fluctuations of the symmetric periodic near-surface potential, whereas the surface-parallel component makes the particle move along the surface. The combined effect of synchronous fluctuations of the symmetric potential and the applied force leads to the longitudinal drift of the particle. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the motor velocity is nonmonotonic, with the maximum governed by the range of the near-surface potential.     

Brownian dynamics simulations of a cubic haematite particle suspension with a more effective treatment of steric layer interactions

We have proposed a new repulsive layer model for describing the interaction between steric layers of coated cubic particles. This approach is an effective technique applicable to particle-based simulations such as a Brownian dynamics simulation of a suspension composed of cubic particles. 3D Brownian dynamics simulations employing this repulsive interaction model have been performed in order to investigate the equilibrium aggregate structures of a suspension composed of cubic haematite particles. It has been verified that Brownian dynamics employing the present steric interaction model are in good agreement with Monte Carlo results with respect to particle aggregate structures and particle orientational characteristics. From the viewpoint of developing a surface modification technology, we have also investigated a regime change in the aggregate structure of cubic particle in a quasi-2D system by means of Brownian dynamics simulations. If the magnetic particle–particle interaction strength is relatively strong, in zero applied magnetic field the particles aggregate in an offset face-to-face configuration. As the magnetic field strength is increased, the offset face-to-face structure is transformed into a more direct face-to-face contact configuration that extends throughout the whole simulation region.     

Brownian pump with an unbiased external force

We investigate Brownian pump transport in the presence of an unbiased external force. The pumping system is embedded in a finite region bounded by two particle reservoirs. In the adiabatic limit, we obtain the analytical expressions of the current and the concentration ratio. We find that Brownian particles can be pumped through an asymmetric potential from a particle reservoir at low concentration to one at the same or higher concentration in the presence of an unbiased external force.      

Uphill anomalous transport in a deterministic system with speed-dependent friction coefficient

We investigate the transport of a deterministic Brownian particle theoretically, which moves in simple onedimensional, symmetric periodic potentials under the influence of both a time periodic and a static biasing force. The physical system employed contains a friction coefficient that is speed-dependent. Within the tailored parameter regime, the absolute negative mobility, in which a particle can travel in the direction opposite to a constant applied force, is observed.This behavior is robust and can be maximized at two regimes upon variation of the characteristic factor of friction coefficient. Further analysis reveals that this uphill motion is subdiffusion in terms of localization(diffusion coefficient with the form D(t) ~t~(-1) at long times). We also have observed the non-trivially anomalous subdiffusion which is significantly deviated from the localization; whereas most of the downhill motion evolves chaotically, with the normal diffusion.     

Quantum tunneling at zero temperature in the strong friction regime

In the large damping limit we derive a Fokker-Planck equation in configuration space (the so-called Smoluchowski equation) describing a Brownian particle immersed into a thermal environment and subjected to a nonlinear external force. We quantize this stochastic system and survey the problem of escape over a double-well potential barrier. Our finding is that the quantum Kramers rate does not depend on the friction coefficient at low temperatures; i.e., we predict a superfluidity phenomenon in overdamped open systems. Moreover, at zero temperature we show that the quantum escape rate does not vanish in the strong friction regime. This result, therefore, is in contrast with the work by Ankerhold et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 086802 (2001)]] in which no quantum tunneling is predicted at zero temperature.     

Current reversals in an inhomogeneous system with asymmetric unbiased fluctuations

We present a study of the transport of a Brownian particle moving in a periodic symmetric potential in the presence of asymmetric unbiased fluctuations. The particle is considered to move in a medium with periodic space dependent friction. By tuning the parameters of the system, the direction of the current exhibits reversals, both as a function of temperature as well as the amplitude of rocking force. We found that the mutual interplay between the opposite driving factors is the necessary term for current reversals.Received: 11 October 2003, Published online: 9 April 2004PACS: 05.40.-a Fluctuation phenomena, random processes, noise, and Brownian motion - 02.50.Ey Stochastic processes - 87.10. + e General theory and mathematical aspects     

An invariance principle for reversible Markov processes. Applications to random motions in random environments

We present an invariance principle for antisymmetric functions of a reversible Markov process which immediately implies convergence to Brownian motion for a wide class of random motions in random environments. We apply it to establish convergence to Brownian motion (i) for a walker moving in the infinite cluster of the two-dimensional bond percolation model, (ii) for ad-dimensional walker moving in a symmetric random environment under very mild assumptions on the distribution of the environment, (iii) for a tagged particle in ad-dimensional symmetric lattice gas which allows interchanges, (iv) for a tagged particle in ad-dimensional system of interacting Brownian particles. Our formulation also leads naturally to bounds on the diffusion constant.     

Relaxation of the Probability Characteristics of Brownian Motion under the Action of a Non-Delta-Correlated Random Force

We consider the relaxation of the moments of the coordinates of one-dimensional Brownian motion of particles in a symmetric potential profile under the action of a Gaussian, exponentially correlated random force. An analytical-numerical method of analysis based on obtaining and numerically solving a chain of differential equations for joint cumulants of some functions of particle coordinates and a random force is used. A priori constraints on the intensity and correlation time of noise are not imposed. Numerical procedure is checked by comparison with analytical results, which can be found in the limiting cases of delta-correlated and quasistatic random force. The dependence of the relaxation of the average value and variance on the intensity and spectrum of a random force and the character of the initial distribution of particles is elucidated. In particular, the presence of a variance minimum during distribution relaxation is established. The evolution of the model probability distribution of particle coordinates is constructed on the basis of the moment relaxation.     

微通道中高分子溶液Poiseuille流的耗散粒子动力学模拟

利用耗散粒子动力学(dissipative particle dynamics, DPD)方法模拟了微通道中高分子溶液的Poiseuille流动.研究表明, 微通道中的高分子溶液呈现非牛顿流体特性, 可以用幂律流体来描述流动行为, 高分子浓度越大, 幂律指数n 越小. 高分子链与壁面的流体动力学相互作用以及布朗扩散率梯度控制着高分子链的横向迁移. 由于传统的DPD方法中壁面诱导的流体动力学作用部分被屏蔽, 高分子链将向壁面方向迁移, 并且随着流场增强, 高分子链向壁面方向迁移越明显. 未被屏蔽的流体动力学相互作用和布朗扩散率梯度相互竞争, 使高分子链在微通道内的质心分布呈双峰状, 通道中心处高分子浓度出现局部最小值. 当通道宽度减小、强受限时, 壁面与高分子链间的流体动力学相互作用可能全部被屏蔽, 而布朗扩散运动弱, 高分子向壁面方向有微弱的迁移. 关键词： 耗散粒子动力学 高分子溶液 非牛顿流体 横向迁移     

Brownian Ratchet Driven by a Rocking Forcing with Broken Temporal Symmetry

The ratchet motion of a Brownian particle in a symmetric periodic potential under a rocking force thatbreaks the temporal symmetry is studied. As long as the relaxation time in the thermal background is much shorter thanthe forcing period, the unidirectional transport can be analytically treated. By solving the Fokker-Planck equations, weget an analytical expression of the current. This result indicates that with an appropriate match between the potentialfield, the asymmetric ac force and the thermal noise, a net current can be achieved. The current versus thermal noiseexhibits a stochastic-resonance-like behavior.     

A gas of Brownian particles in statistical dynamics

We consider a large number of particles on a one-dimensional latticel Z in interaction with a heat particle; the latter is located on the bond linking the position of the particle to the point to which it jumps. The energy of a single particle is given by a potentialV(x), x∈Z. In the continuum limit, the classical version leads to Brownian motion with drift. A quantum version leads to a local drift velocity which is independent of the applied force. Both these models obey Einstein's relation between drift, diffusion, and applied force. The system obeys the first and second laws of thermodynamics, with the time evolution given by a pair of coupled non linear heat equations, one for the density of the Brownian particles and one for the heat occupation number; the equation for a tagged Brownian particle can be written as a stochastic differential equation.     

Energy fluctuations in a biharmonically driven nonlinear system

We study the fluctuations of work done and dissipated heat of a Brownian particle in a symmetric double well system. The system is driven by two periodic input signals that rock the potential simultaneously. Confinement in one preferred well can be achieved by modulating the relative phase between the drives. We show that in the presence of pumping the stochastic resonance signal is enhanced when analysed in terms of the average work done on the system per cycle. This is in contrast with the case when pumping is achieved by applying an external static bias, which degrades resonance. We analyse the nature of work and heat fluctuations and show that the steady state fluctuation theorem holds in this system.     

Radiation force exerted on nanometer size non-resonant Kerr particle by a tightly focused Gaussian beam

We calculate the radiation force that is exerted by a focused continuous-wave Gaussian beam of wavelength λ on a non-absorbing nonlinear particle of radius a ? 50λ/π. The refractive index of the mechanically-rigid particle is proportional to the incident intensity according to the electro-optic Kerr effect. The force consists of two components representing the contributions of the electromagnetic field gradient and the light scattered by the Kerr particle. The focused intensity distribution is determined using expressions for the six electromagnetic components that are corrected to the fifth order in the numerical aperture (NA) of the focusing objective lens. We found that for particles with a < λ/21.28, the trapping force is dominated by the gradient force and the axial trapping force is symmetric about the geometrical focus. The two contributions are comparable with larger particles and the axial trapping force becomes asymmetric with its zero location displaced away from the focus and towards the beam propagation direction. We study the trapping force behavior versus incident beam power, NA, λ, and relative refractive index between the surrounding liquid and the particle. We also examine the confinement of a Kerr particle that exhibits Brownian motion in a focused beam. Numerical results show that the Kerr effect increases the trapping force strength and significantly improves the confinement of Brownian particles.     

Characterisation of a three-dimensional Brownian motor in optical lattices

We present here a detailed study of the behaviour of a three dimensional Brownian motor based on cold atoms in a double optical lattice [P. Sj?lund et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 190602 (2006)]. This includes both experiments and numerical simulations of a Brownian particle. The potentials used are spatially and temporally symmetric, but combined spatiotemporal symmetry is broken by phase shifts and asymmetric transfer rates between potentials. The diffusion of atoms in the optical lattices is rectified and controlled both in direction and speed along three dimensions. We explore a large range of experimental parameters, where irradiances and detunings of the optical lattice lights are varied within the dissipative regime. Induced drift velocities in the order of one atomic recoil velocity have been achieved.     

Brownian dynamics simulations with spin Brownian motion on the negative magneto-rheological effect of a rod-like hematite particle suspension

We have investigated the behaviour of a suspension of magnetic rod-like hematite particles in a simple shear flow with the addition of an applied magnetic field. A significant feature of the present hematite particle suspension is the fact that the magnetic moment of the hematite particle lies normal to the particle-axis direction. From simulations, we have attempted to clarify the dependence of the negative magneto-rheological effect on the particle aggregation and orientational distribution of particles. The present Brownian dynamics method has a significant advantage in that it takes into account the spin rotational Brownian motion about the particle axis in addition to the ordinary translational and rotational Brownian motion. The net viscosity is decomposed into three components and discussed at a deeper level and in detail: these three viscosity components arise from (1) the torque due to the magnetic particle–field interaction, (2) the torque and (3) the force due to the interaction between particles. It is found that a slight change in the orientational distribution has a significant influence on the negative magneto-rheological effect. In a relatively dense suspension, the viscosity components arising from an applied magnetic field and the interaction between particles come to change rapidly for a certain strength of the magnetic particle–particle interaction, which is due to the onset of the formation of raft-like clusters.     

Current Inversion in a Temperature Ratchet with Asymmetric Unbiased External Forces

Transport of a Brownian particle moving in a symmetric potential is investigated in the presence of an asymmetric unbiased external force. The viscous medium is alternately in contact with the two heat reservoirs. We present the analytical expression of the net current at the quasi-steady state limit. It is found that the competition of the temporal asymmetric parameter of the driving force with the temperature difference leads to current reversals. The competition between the two opposite driving factors is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for current reversals.     

Mean first passage time of active Brownian particle in one dimension

We investigate the mean first passage time of an active Brownian particle in one dimension using numerical simulations. The activity in one dimension is modelled as a two state model; the particle moves with a constant propulsion strength but its orientation switches from one state to other as in a random telegraphic process. We study the influence of a finite resetting rate r on the mean first passage time to a fixed target of a single free active Brownian particle and map this result using an effective diffusion process. As in the case of a passive Brownian particle, we can find an optimal resetting rate r* for an active Brownian particle for which the target is found with the minimum average time. In the case of the presence of an external potential, we find good agreement between the theory and numerical simulations using an effective potential approach.