Rotation in an asymmetric multidimensional periodic potential due to colored noise

Abstract

We analyze the motion of an overdamped classical particle in a multidimensional periodic potential, driven by a weak external noise. We demonstrate that in steady-state, the presence of temporal correlations in the noise and spatial asymmetry within a period of the potential could lead to particle rotation. The rotation is a direct consequence of a change in sign of the noise-induced drift motion in each dimension. By choosing different potentials, we can generate a variety of flow patterns from laminar drifts to rotations.