Brownian self-driven particles on the surface of a sphere

Phys Rev E. 2017 Aug;96(2-1):022606. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.96.022606. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Abstract

We present the dynamics of overdamped Brownian self-propelled particles moving on the surface of a sphere. The effect of self-propulsion on the diffusion of these particles is elucidated by determining their angular (azimuthal and polar) mean-square displacement. Short- and long-times analytical expressions for their angular mean-square displacement are offered. Finally, the particles' steady marginal angular probability density functions are also elucidated.