Analytical solution for the Feynman ratchet

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2002 Dec;66(6 Pt 1):061103. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.66.061103. Epub 2002 Dec 30.

Abstract

A search for an analytical, closed form solution of the Fokker-Planck equation with periodic, asymmetric potentials (ratchets) is presented. It is found that logarithmic-type potential functions (related to "entropic" ratchets) allow for an approximate solution within a certain range of parameters. An expression for the net current is calculated and it is shown that the efficiency of the rocked entropic ratchet is always low.