Transport of underdamped active particles in ratchet potentials.
We study the rectified transport of underdamped active noninteracting particles in an asymmetric periodic potential. It is found that the ratchet effect of active noninteracting particles occurs in a single direction (along the easy direction of the substrate asymmetry) in the overdamped limit. However, when the inertia is considered, it is possible to observe reversals of the ratchet effect, where the motion is along the hard direction of the substrate asymmetry. By changing the friction coefficient or the self-propulsion force, the average velocity can change its direction several times. Therefore, by suitably tailoring the parameters, underdamped active particles with different self-propulsion forces can move in different directions and can be separated.
Guangdong Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China. aibq@scnu.edu.cn.
Bao-Quan
BQ
Ai
Guangdong Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China. aibq@scnu.edu.cn.
Feng-Guo
FG
Li