Single-file diffusion with non-thermal initial conditions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple method to analyze single-file diffusion under non-thermal initial conditions, successfully reproducing key asymptotic behaviors of tracer particle mean square displacement.

Contribution

A novel approach for studying single-file diffusion that simplifies analysis and captures qualitative behaviors under non-thermal initial conditions.

Findings

Reproduces known asymptotic results for mean square displacement

Provides a scalable method for analyzing complex diffusion dynamics

Enhances understanding of non-thermal initial condition effects

Abstract

Single-file diffusion is a theoretically challenging many-body problem where the calculation of even the simplest observables, e.g. mean square displacement, for a tracer particle requires a heavy mathematical machinery. There is therefore a need for simple approaches which predict qualitatively correct behaviours. Here we put forward one such method which we use to investigate the influence of non-thermal initial conditions on the dynamics of a tracer particle. With our new approach we reproduce, up to scaling, several known asymptotic results for the tracer particle mean square displacement.