An oriented process induced by dynamically regulated energy barriers

TL;DR

This paper investigates a new mechanism where flexible dynamical systems under non-equilibrium conditions spontaneously develop oriented processes due to symmetry violations, without external potential switching.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of reaction path asymmetry caused by energy barrier regulation in flexible systems, highlighting the role of bottleneck points in directing reaction pathways.

Findings

Oriented processes emerge without external potential switching.

Reaction path asymmetry is linked to energy barrier regulation.

Bottleneck points control the reaction direction and rate.

Abstract

A novel mechanism for the appearance of oriented processes is investigated with a flexible dynamical system overcoming barriers. Under non-equilibrium condition with external driving, reaction paths deviate from that at equilibrium with an accompanying violation of symmetry between the forward and the reverse paths. Although we never introduce any external switching of potentials to generate the oriented processes, multi-dimensional flexible dynamics promote the oriented processes through this symmetry violation. Along the reaction paths, bottleneck points are proposed as a rate-controlling factor, which determine the {\it direction-dependent activation energies} satisfying Arrhenius-like law for the rate constants. In comparison, in stiff systems, the oriented process is suggested to appear in different manner from this scenario.