Transport and diffusion of Brownian particles in a tilted deformable potential

• Published in: Physica A 2020-03, Vol.541, p.123284, Article 123284
• Main Authors: Kepnang Pebeu, M.F., Woulaché, R.L., Tabi, C.B., Kofane, T.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Average velocity; Brownian particles; Deformable potential; Distribution; Effective diffusion coefficient
• ISSN: 0378-4371; 1873-2119
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2019.123284

The underdamped Brownian motion of particles in a deformable potential in response to a constant external force is investigated. Using the matrix continued fraction method, we compute the diffusion coefficient of Brownian particles via the dynamics factor structure at low temperature and intermediate values of friction coefficient. It is numerically found that the transport properties of Brownian particles such as the effective diffusion coefficient, the average velocity and the distribution probability are sensitive to the shape parameter r of the modified nonsinusoidal Remoissenet–Peyrard deformable potential. The bistable behaviour and the distribution of velocity which also shed light on the diffusion anomalies are discussed for some values of the shape parameter. We show that for the negative values of the shape parameter (r0), the average velocity of Brownian particles collapses due to the geometry of the system combined with the friction. Finally, the mechanism of enhancement of the effective diffusion coefficient for a range of the external force is discussed as a function of the shape parameter. We find a power law for the effective diffusion coefficient in terms of the shape parameter r, and show that, it evolves as Dth∼∣r∣2. •Transport properties of Brownian particles in deformable potential.•The average velocity and the effective diffusion coefficient of particles is affected by the geometry of the system.•The average velocity of Brownian particles is optimized for some values of the shape parameter than others.•The distribution probability of Brownian particles is affected by the geometry.•The low transitions between locked and running states promotes excess diffusion peak.