Transport properties of coupled Brownian particles confined to a microchannel in an asymmetric periodic potential

On the basis of the transport features and experimental phenomena observed in studies of molecular motors, we investigated an overdamped Brownian motion of two coupled particles with an asymmetric periodic potential in a two-dimensional microchannel theoretically and numerically, to reveal the dynamical mechanism of cooperative transport of particles with two heads, where the interactions between two particles are taken into consideration. Moreover, while moving in a confined structure, Brownian particles also could exhibit peculiar kinetic behavior. The dependence of directed current on various parameters is systematically studied. Our results indicate that the direction of motion can be reversed by modulating the coupling strength, free length, and microchannel width. In addition, we have achieved the conditions of forward motion in this study. That is, when the interparticle average horizontal interval Δx > 0.25L, where L is the spatial period of the external potential, the forward motion of coupled Brownian particles effected by the synchronized noise and confined to a microchannel can be generated in the strong-coupling case.     

Ratchet motion and current reversal of coupled Brownian motors in pulsating symmetric potentials

In this study, we investigate the collective directed transport of coupled Brownian particles in spatially symmetric periodic potentials under time-periodic pulsating modulations. We find that the coupling between two particles can induce symmetry breaking and consequently collective directed motion. Moreover, the direction of motion can be reversed under certain conditions. The dependence of directed current on various parameters is systematically studied. reverse motion can be achieved by modulating the coupling free length and the phase shift of the pulsating potential. The dynamical mechanism of these transport properties is understood in terms of the effective-potential theory and the space-time transformation invariance. The directed transport of coupled Brownian motors can be manipulated and optimized by adjusting the coupling strength, pulsating frequency, or noise intensity.     

带反馈的分数阶耦合布朗马达的定向输运

研究具有幂律记忆性的带反馈耦合布朗马达的定向输运现象, 引入分数阶理论, 建立了带反馈的分数阶耦合布朗马达模型, 利用分数阶差分法求得模型数值解并分析了模型参数对合作定向输运性质的影响. 仿真结果表明, 系统的记忆性通过影响带反馈的棘齿势的打开和闭合而影响粒子的定向输运, 即当系统的阶数在较小的范围内, 系统的记忆性会使带反馈的棘齿势的开关频率增加, 从而增大定向流速; 当系统其他参数(势垒高度、噪声强度等)固定时, 输运速度随着阶数的变化出现广义随机共振现象.     

反馈脉冲棘轮的能量转化效率研究

研究了反馈脉冲棘轮的定向输运及能量转化效率.详细讨论了弹簧自由长度、耦合强度及脉冲相位等参量对耦合布朗粒子定向输运性能的影响.研究发现,一定自由长度和耦合强度都能促进反馈脉冲棘轮的定向输运,并能使耦合粒子拖动负载做功时的能量转化效率达到最大.此外,通过调节脉冲相位能使反馈棘轮在一个演化周期内获得两次流反转,且合适的相位还能增强反馈棘轮的定向输运.所得结论不仅可为实验上设计合适的反馈脉冲作用来优化棘轮的定向输运性能,而且还能为生物医疗上药物的精准投放提供一定的理论参考.     

Effects of diversity and coupling on transport properties of globally coupled active Brownian particles

Based on recent work [B. Lindner and E. M., Nicola, Phys. Rev. Lett. 101 (2008) 190603], the transport of N$N$ globally coupled Brownian motors with diversity is investigated. By applying the mean-field approximation, the effects of the diversity disturbance and the coupling strength on the transport of the coupled system are discussed both theoretically and numerically. It is found that the diversity reduces the diffusion dramatically for small bias and increases the diffusion gradually for large bias. The collective motion shows a resonant dependence on the coupling strength in a region of small bias.     

Transportation of Two Coupled Particles in an Asymmetric Saw-Tooth Potential

Based on a simple model,we theoretically show the transport behaviors of two harmonically coupled Brownian particles in an asymmetric saw-tooth potential with two slopes.The coupled particles are subject to stochastic fluctuations.It is found that when the equilibrium distance of the coupled particles is between the two slopes of the potential,the transport direction of the coupled particles will be reversed with a certain harmonic coupling strength.This current reversal can be easily understood with the near rigid approximation,where the two coupled particles can be regarded as a single particle in an effective potential.Compared with the original saw-tooth potential,the asymmetry of the effective potential could be reversed when the equilibrium distance is between the two slopes of the original potential,which results in the current reversal.     

Collective Transport of Coupled Brownian Motors with Low Randomness

The transport properties of coupled Brownian motors in rocking ratchet are investigated via solving Langevin equation. By means of velocity, diffusion coefficient, and their ratio （Peclet number）, different features from a single particle have been found. In the regime of low-to-moderate D, the average velocity of elastically coupled Brownian motors is larger than that of a single Brownian particles; the Peclet number of elastically coupled Brownian motors is peaked functions of intensity of noise D but the Peclet number of a single Brownian motor decreases monotonously with the increase of a single Brownian motor. The results exhibit an interesting cooperative behavior between coupled particles subjected to a rocking force, which can generate directed transport with low randomness or high transport coherence in symmetrical periodic potential.     

Directed transport of coupled systems in symmetric periodic potentials

In this paper, we discuss the damped unidirectional motions of a coupled lattice in a periodic potential. Each particle in the lattice is subject to a time-periodic ac force. Our studies reveal that a directed transport process can be observed when the ac forces acting on the coupled lattice have a phase shift (mismatch). This directed motion is a collaboration of the coupling, the substrate potential, and the periodic force, which are all symmetric. The absence of any one of these three factors will not give rise to a directed current. We discuss the complex relations between the directed current and parameters in the system. Results in this paper can be accomplished in experiments. Moreover,our results can be generalized to the studies of directed transport processes in more complicated spatially extended systems.     

Rotational effect in two-dimensional cooperative directed transport

In this review we investigate the rotation effect in the motion of coupled dimer in a two-dimensional asymmetric periodic potential. Free rotation does not generate directed transport in translational direction, while we find it plays an critical role in the motors motility when the dimer moves under the effect of asymmetry ratchet potential. In the presence of external force, we study the relation between the average current and the force numerically and theoretically. The numerical results show that only appropriate driving force could produce nonzero current and there are current transitions when the force is large enough. An analysis of stability analysis of limit cycles is applied to explain the occurrence of these transitions. Moreover, we numerically simulate the transport of this coupled dimer driven by the random fluctuations in the rotational direction. The existence of noise smooths the current transitions induced by the driving force and the resonance-like peaks which depend on the rod length emerge in small noise strength. Thanks to the noise in the rotational direction, autonomous motion emerges without the external force and large noise could make the current reversal happen. Eventually, the new mechanism to generate directed transport by the rotation is studied.     

点间耦合强度对三耦合量子点系统微分电导的影响

本文利用非平衡格林函数运动方程方法,研究了与两个电极耦合在一起的三耦合量子点系统的微分电导及量子干涉的AB振荡问题.通过理论计算发现,由于量子点上的局域态密度的不同从而导致系统电导或隧穿性质的不同,而且量子点间耦合强度、量子点能级等都会对输运性质产生影响. 关键词： 量子点 非平衡格林函数 运动方程 局域态密度     

分数阶布朗马达在闪烁棘齿势中的合作输运现象

引入分数阶微积分理论,建立耦合分数阶布朗马达在闪烁棘齿势中的合作输运模型, 利用分数阶差分法求得模型数值解并分析了模型参数对合作定向输运性质的影响. 发现在具有记忆性的分数阶棘齿系统中, 系统阶数与粒子间耦合强度不仅可影响粒子链输运速度, 还可使粒子链出现与整数阶方向相反的定向流; 在阶数固定下, 定向输运速度将随参数(噪声强度、耦合强度、棘齿势峰值高度)变化出现广义随机共振现象. 关键词： 分数阶布朗马达 闪烁棘齿势 合作定向输运 广义随机共振     

Dynamic instability of collective myosin Ⅱ motors

Some kinds of muscles can oscillate spontaneously,which is related to the dynamic instability of the collective motors.Based on the two-state ratchet model and with consideration of the motor stiffness,the dynamics of collective myosin Ⅱmotors are studied.It is shown that when the motor stiffness is small,the velocity of the collective motors decreases monotonically with load increasing.When the motor stiffness becomes large,dynamic instability appears in the forcevelocity relationship of the collective-motor transport.For a large enough motor stiffness,the zero-velocity point lies in the unstable range of the force-velocity curve,and the motor system becomes unstable before the motion is stopped,so spontaneous oscillations can be generated if the system is elastically coupled to its environment via a spring.The oscillation frequency is related to the motor stiffness,motor binding rate,spring stiffness,and the width of the ATP excitation interval.For a medium motor stiffness,the zero-velocity point lies outside the unstable range of the force-velocity curve,and the motion will be stopped before the instability occurs.     

From collective periodic running states to completely chaotic synchronised states in coupled particle dynamics

We consider the damped and driven dynamics of two interacting particles evolving in a symmetric and spatially periodic potential. The latter is exerted to a time-periodic modulation of its inclination. Our interest is twofold: First, we deal with the issue of chaotic motion in the higher-dimensional phase space. To this end, a homoclinic Melnikov analysis is utilised assuring the presence of transverse homoclinic orbits and homoclinic bifurcations for weak coupling allowing also for the emergence of hyperchaos. In contrast, we also prove that the time evolution of the two coupled particles attains a completely synchronised (chaotic) state for strong enough coupling between them. The resulting "freezing of dimensionality" rules out the occurrence of hyperchaos. Second, we address coherent collective particle transport provided by regular periodic motion. A subharmonic Melnikov analysis is utilised to investigate persistence of periodic orbits. For directed particle transport mediated by rotating periodic motion, we present exact results regarding the collective character of the running solutions entailing the emergence of a current. We show that coordinated energy exchange between the particles takes place in such a manner that they are enabled to overcome--one particle followed by the other--consecutive barriers of the periodic potential resulting in collective directed motion.     

A composite micromotor driven by self-thermophoresis and Brownian rectification

Brownian motors and self-phoretic microswimmers are two typical micromotors, for which thermal fluctuations play different roles. Brownian motors utilize thermal noise to acquire unidirectional motion, while thermal fluctuations randomize the self-propulsion of self-phoretic microswimmers. Here we perform mesoscale simulations to study a composite micromotor composed of a self-thermophoretic Janus particle under a time-modulated external ratchet potential. The composite motor exhibits a unidirectional transport, whose direction can be reversed by tuning the modulation frequency of the external potential. The maximum transport capability is close to the superposition of the drift speed of the pure Brownian motor and the self-propelling speed of the pure self-thermophoretic particle. Moreover, the hydrodynamic effect influences the orientation of the Janus particle in the ratched potential, hence also the performance of the composite motor. Our work thus provides an enlightening attempt to actively exploit inevitable thermal fluctuations in the implementation of the self-phoretic microswimmers.     

Directed transport of coupled Brownian ratchets with time-delayed feedback

A time-delayed feedback ratchet consisting of two Brownian particles interacting through the elastic spring is consid ered. The model describes the directed transport of coupled Brownian particles in an asymmetric two-well ratchet potential which can be calculated theoretically and implemented experimentally. We explore how the centre-of-mass velocity is af fected by the time delay, natural length of the spring, amplitude strength, angular frequency, external force, and the structure of the potential. It is found that the enhancement of the current can be obtained by varying the coupling strength of the delayed feedback system. When the thermal fluctuation and the harmonic potential match appropriately, directed current evolves periodically with the natural length of the spring and can achieve a higher transport coherence. Moreover, the external force and the amplitude strength can enhance the directed transport of coupled Brownian particles under certain conditions. It is expected that the polymer of large biological molecules may demonstrate a variety of novel cooperative effects in real propelling devices.     

Directed transport of two interacting particles in a washboard potential

We study the conservative and deterministic dynamics of two nonlinearly interacting particles evolving in a one-dimensional spatially periodic washboard potential. A weak tilt of the washboard potential is applied biasing one direction for particle transport. However, the tilt vanishes asymptotically in the direction of bias. Moreover, the total energy content is not enough for both particles to be able to escape simultaneously from an initial potential well; to achieve transport the coupled particles need to interact cooperatively. For low coupling strength the two particles remain trapped inside the starting potential well permanently. For increased coupling strength there exists a regime in which one of the particles transfers the majority of its energy to the other one, as a consequence of which the latter escapes from the potential well and the bond between them breaks. Finally, for suitably large couplings, coordinated energy exchange between the particles allows them to achieve escapes — one particle followed by the other — from consecutive potential wells resulting in directed collective motion. The key mechanism of transport rectification is based on the asymptotically vanishing tilt causing a symmetry breaking of the non-chaotic fraction of the dynamics in the mixed phase space. That is, after a chaotic transient, only at one of the boundaries of the chaotic layer do resonance islands appear. The settling of trajectories in the ballistic channels associated with transporting islands provides long-range directed transport dynamics of the escaping dimer.     

基于三磷酸腺苷调节的分子马达单向能量跃迁模型

分子马达的梯跳运动和在过阻尼溶液中动力学原理尚未揭示清楚, 从分子马达输运特点和实验现象出发, 构建满足朗之万方程的单向能量跃迁模型, 并通过Monte Carlo方法分析了分子马达的随机动力学行为. 结果表明, 在合适的跃迁能量作用下, 分子马达可以利用噪声进行稳定的梯跳运动和有效的输运, 但负载力会减弱分子马达系统的输运能力; 轨道周期势虽影响分子马达速度的大小但不会改变其运动方向, 分子马达运动方向由跃迁能量决定; 另外, 虽然在不同的噪声强度时平均速度不为零, 但是分子马达系统的高效输运对噪声有一定选择性. 关键词： 分子马达 能量跃迁 朗之万方程 噪声强度     

二维耦合定向输运模型研究

建立了外部驱动力及噪声作用下的二维耦合定向输运模型, 其中的一个维度上为周期性分段棘齿势, 另一垂直维度上为周期性对称非棘齿势, 外部驱动力及噪声加在周期对称非棘齿势方向上, 而棘齿势方向不加任何驱动, 采用非平衡统计及非线性动力学理论研究了过阻尼情况下耦合系统在两个维度上的输运性质. 结果显示, 棘齿势与非棘齿势方向均可产生定向输运, 其中棘齿势方向的系统平均速度对耦合强度、噪声强度、驱动力强度及粒子数目均有明显的依赖性, 合适的耦合强度、噪声强度、驱动力强度或粒子数目下均可产生最大输运速度. 而非棘齿势方向的系统平均速度受非棘齿势势垒高度影响显著, 但随耦合强度、驱动力强度、驱动力初相位差及粒子数目的变化均出现波动现象, 表现出平均速度对这些参量的依赖性较弱.