Local Inhomogeneity in Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Processes with Extended Objects

TL;DR

This paper investigates how local inhomogeneities affect the steady-state behavior of asymmetric simple exclusion processes with extended particles, revealing shifted phase boundaries and complex dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces an approximate theory and simulation analysis of TASEP with local inhomogeneity and extended objects, highlighting qualitative similarities and quantitative shifts in phase diagrams.

Findings

Phase diagrams are qualitatively similar to homogeneous models.

Phase boundaries are significantly shifted due to inhomogeneity.

Complex dynamics are explained using domain-wall theory.

Abstract

Totally asymmetric simple exclusion processes (TASEP) with particles which occupy more than one lattice site and with a local inhomogeneity far away from the boundaries are investigated. These non-equilibrium processes are relevant for the understanding of many biological and chemical phenomena. The steady-state phase diagrams, currents, and bulk densities are calculated using a simple approximate theory and extensive Monte Carlo computer simulations. It is found that the phase diagram for TASEP with a local inhomogeneity is qualitatively similar to homogeneous models, although the phase boundaries are significantly shifted. The complex dynamics is discussed in terms of domain-wall theory for driven lattice systems.