Odd pathways speed up self-assembly

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that non-reciprocal, odd interactions can accelerate self-assembly processes by increasing mobility and overcoming energy barriers, while maintaining equilibrium distributions.

Contribution

It introduces a class of non-reciprocal interactions that speed up self-assembly without distorting the target structures, revealing a trade-off with power dissipation.

Findings

Non-reciprocal interactions induce probability currents that reshape fundamental processes.

These currents enhance Arrhenius rates by driving particles across free-energy barriers.

Active forces can be tuned to accelerate relaxation and deactivate upon reaching the target state.

Abstract

Active self-assembly can bypass equilibrium bottlenecks through external energy injection. However, generic driving typically distorts target structures and requires sustained energy input even after assembly is complete. Here, we investigate a class of non-reciprocal interactions that accelerates assembly while preserving the equilibrium Boltzmann distribution. The probability currents induced by these odd interactions reshape fundamental processes, including activated barrier crossing, soft-mode relaxation, and transitions between metastable states. In particular, these currents enhance Arrhenius rates by driving particles across otherwise inaccessible free-energy barriers. We show that this acceleration arises from an effective increase in the mobility of the reaction coordinate, mediated by non-reciprocal coupling between mechanical modes. In turn, we discover a trade-off between kinetic acceleration and power dissipation when active forces are engaged. Our results suggest a route to energy-efficient, high-fidelity self-assembly via active catalysts that transiently accelerate relaxation toward equilibrium targets and deactivate upon reaching the desired state.