Intriguing properties of transport at the microscales: Langevin equation approach

TL;DR

This paper explores simple Langevin equation models to study nonequilibrium transport phenomena at microscales, revealing unexpected behaviors like giant transport, multiple current reversals, and negative mobility.

Contribution

It introduces a Langevin equation framework to analyze diverse nonequilibrium transport behaviors, highlighting novel phenomena in microscopic systems.

Findings

Discovery of giant transport phenomena

Identification of multiple current reversals

Observation of negative mobility in microscopic transport

Abstract

We present a perspective of simple models of nonequilibrium directed transport described in terms of a Langevin equation formalism. We consider a Brownian particle under various circumstances and driven by thermal (equilibrium) and non-thermal (active) fluctuations. Three examples of startling behavior are unveiled: giant transport, multiple current reversal and negative mobility.