Transport in periodic potentials induced by fractional Gaussian noise

Abstract

Directed transport of overdamped Brownian particles driven by fractional Gaussian noises is investigated in asymmetrically periodic potentials. By using Langevin dynamics simulations, we find that rectified currents occur in the absence of any external driving forces. Unlike white Gaussian noises, fractional Gaussian noises can break thermodynamical equilibrium and induce directed transport. Remarkably, the average velocity for persistent fractional noise is opposite to that for anti-persistent fractional noise. The velocity increases monotonically with Hurst exponent for the persistent case, whereas there exists an optimal value of Hurst exponent at which the velocity takes its maximal value for the anti-persistent case.