Current reversals in a rocking ratchet: dynamical vs symmetry-breaking mechanisms

TL;DR

This paper investigates current reversals in a symmetric rocking ratchet, demonstrating that certain reversals are directly caused by symmetry-breaking, linking dynamical behavior to symmetry considerations.

Contribution

It establishes a clear connection between current reversals and symmetry-breaking mechanisms in a bi-harmonically driven symmetric ratchet.

Findings

Current reversals are governed by symmetry-breaking.

A class of current reversals is precisely determined by symmetry considerations.

The work links dynamical behavior to symmetry-breaking in ratchet systems.

Abstract

Directed transport in ratchets is determined by symmetry-breaking in a system out of equilibrium. A hallmark of rocking ratchets is current reversals: an increase in the rocking force changes the direction of the current. In this work for a bi-harmonically driven spatially symmetric rocking ratchet we show that a class of current reversal is precisely determined by symmetry-breaking, thus creating a link between dynamical and symmetry-breaking mechanisms.