Rectification and diffusion of self-propelled particles in a two-dimensional corrugated channel

Abstract

Rectification and diffusion of non-interacting self-propelled particles is numerically investigated in a two-dimensional corrugated channel. From numerical simulations, we obtain the average velocity and the effective diffusion coefficient. It is found that the self-propelled particles can be rectified by the self-propelled velocity. There exist optimal values of the parameters (the self-propelled velocity, the translational diffusion constant, and the height of the potential) at which the average velocity takes its maximal value. There exists an optimal translational diffusion at which the effective diffusion constant is maximal. The self-propelled velocity can strongly increase the effective diffusion, while the large rotational diffusion rate can strongly suppress the effective diffusion.