Noise-assisted classical adiabatic pumping in a symmetric periodic potential

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a classical overdamped Brownian particle in a symmetric periodic potential can exhibit net flow through adiabatic modulation of external potentials, with efficiency depending on temperature.

Contribution

It introduces a noise-assisted adiabatic pumping mechanism in a symmetric potential, highlighting conditions where it surpasses constant-force transport.

Findings

Net particle flow is achievable via phase-shifted potential modulation.

Pumped current is independent of friction and vanishes at temperature extremes.

Adiabatic pumping is more efficient than constant force transport below a critical temperature.

Abstract

We consider a classical overdamped Brownian particle moving in a symmetric periodic potential. We show that a net particle flow can be produced by adiabatically changing two external periodic potentials with a spatial and a temporal phase difference. The classical pumped current is found to be independent of the friction and to vanish both in the limit of low and high temperature. Below a critical temperature, adiabatic pumping appears to be more efficient than transport due to a constant external force.