Optimized Finite-Time Work Protocols for the Higgs RNA-Model

TL;DR

This paper develops optimized finite-time work protocols for the Higgs RNA-Model, revealing that near-equilibrium transitions and specific protocol jumps minimize work in complex RNA systems, with implications for stochastic thermodynamics.

Contribution

It introduces numerically optimized work protocols for the Higgs RNA-Model using parallel tempering, highlighting the importance of protocol jumps and proximity to equilibrium transitions.

Findings

Optimized protocols feature distinct jumps at start and end.

Staying near the equilibrium unfolding transition minimizes work.

Optimized protocols alter work distribution and improve free energy estimates.

Abstract

The Higgs RNA-Model is studied in regard to finite-time driving protocols with minimal-work requirement. In this paper, RNA sequences which at low temperature exhibits hairpins are considered, which are often cited as typical template systems in stochastic thermodynamics. The optimized work protocols for this glassy many-particle system are determined numerically using the parallel tempering method. The protocols show distinct jumps at the beginning and end, which have been observed previously already for single-particle systems. Counter intuitively, optimality seems to be achieved by staying close to the equilibrium unfolding transition point. The change of work distributions, compared to those resulting from a naive linear driving protocol, are discussed generally and in terms of free energy estimation as well as the effect of optimized protocols on rare work process starting conditions.