Anomalous free energy changes induced by topology

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2015 Dec;92(6):062129. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.92.062129. Epub 2015 Dec 16.

Abstract

We report that nontrivial topology of a driven Brownian particle restricted on a ring leads to anomalous behaviors on free energy change. Starting from steady states with identical distribution and current on the ring, free energy changes are distinct and nonperiodic after the system is driven by the same periodic force protocol. We demonstrate our observation in examples through both exact solutions and numerical simulations. The free energy calculated here can be measured in recent experimental systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't