Nonequilibrium phase transition in single-file transport at high crowding

TL;DR

This paper investigates a nonequilibrium phase transition in single-file particle transport at high densities, revealing a shift from thermally activated to solitary wave propagation and changes in fluctuation correlations.

Contribution

It uncovers a novel phase transition in crowded environments, highlighting the emergence of high-current solitary wave states at critical densities.

Findings

Identification of a phase transition separating two transport regimes.

Change in universality class of current fluctuation correlations.

High-density conditions induce sudden shifts to high current states.

Abstract

Driven particle transport in crowded and confining environments is fundamental to diverse phenomena across physics, chemistry, and biology. A main objective in studying such systems is to identify novel emergent states and phases of collective dynamics. Here, we report on a nonequilibrium phase transition occurring in periodic structures at high particle densities. This transition separates a weak-current phase of thermally activated transport from a high-current phase of solitary wave propagation. It is reflected also in a change of universality classes characterizing correlations of particle current fluctuations. Our findings demonstrate that sudden changes to high current states can occur when increasing particle densities beyond critical values.