Two coupled Josephson junctions: dc voltage controlled by biharmonic current.

We study transport properties of two Josephson junctions coupled by an external shunt resistance. One of the junctions (say, the first) is driven by an unbiased ac current consisting of two harmonics. The device can rectify the ac current yielding a dc voltage across the first junction. For some values of coupling strength, controlled by an external shunt resistance, a dc voltage across the second junction can be generated. By variation of system parameters such as the relative phase or frequency of two harmonics, one can conveniently manipulate both voltages with high efficiency, e.g. changing the dc voltages across the first and second junctions from positive to negative values and vice versa.

Negative mobility induced by colored thermal fluctuations.

Anomalous transport of non-Markovian thermal Brownian particle dynamics in spatially periodic symmetric systems that is driven by time-periodic symmetric driving and constant bias is investigated numerically. The Brownian dynamics is modeled by a generalized Langevin equation with exponentially correlated Gaussian thermal noise, obeying the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. We study the role of nonzero correlation time of thermal fluctuations for the occurrence of absolute negative (linear) mobility (ANM) near zero bias, negative-valued, nonlinear mobility (NNM), and negative differential mobility (NDM) at finite bias away from equilibrium. We detect that a nonzero thermal correlation time can either enhance or also diminish the value of ANM. Moreover, finite thermal noise correlation can induce NDM and NNM in regions of parameter space for which such ANM and NNM behaviors are distinctly absent for limiting white thermal noise. In parts of the parameter space, we find a complex structure of regions of linear and nonlinear negative mobility: islands and tongues which emerge and vanish under parameters manipulation. While certain such anomalous transport regimes fade away with increasing temperature some specific regions interestingly remain rather robust. Outside those regimes with anomalous mobility, the ac/dc driven transport is either normal or the driven Brownian particles are not transported at all.

Rectification in synthetic conical nanopores: a one-dimensional Poisson-Nernst-Planck model.

Ion transport in biological and synthetic nanochannels is characterized by phenomena such as ion current fluctuations and rectification. Recently, it has been demonstrated that nanofabricated synthetic pores can mimic transport properties of biological ion channels [P. Yu. Apel, Nucl. Instrum Methods Phys. Res. B 184, 337 (2001); Z. Siwy, Europhys. Lett. 60, 349 (2002)]. Here, the ion current rectification is studied within a reduced one-dimensional (1D) Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) model of synthetic nanopores. A conical channel of a few nm to a few hundred nm in diameter, and of a few mum long is considered in the limit where the channel length considerably exceeds the Debye screening length. The rigid channel wall is assumed to be weakly charged. A one-dimensional reduction of the three-dimensional problem in terms of corresponding entropic effects is put forward. The ion transport is described by the nonequilibrium steady-state solution of the 1D Poisson-Nernst-Planck system within a singular perturbation treatment. An analytic formula for the approximate rectification current in the lowest order perturbation theory is derived. A detailed comparison between numerical results and the singular perturbation theory is presented. The crucial importance of the asymmetry in the potential jumps at the pore ends on the rectification effect is demonstrated. This so constructed 1D theory is shown to describe well the experimental data in the regime of small-to-moderate electric currents.

Arrival time distribution for a driven system containing quenched dichotomous disorder.

We study the arrival time distribution of overdamped particles driven by a constant force in a piecewise linear random potential which generates the dichotomous random force. Our approach is based on the path integral representation of the probability density of the arrival time. We explicitly calculate the path integral for a special case of dichotomous disorder and use the corresponding characteristic function to derive prominent properties of the arrival time probability density. Specifically, we establish the scaling properties of the central moments, analyze the behavior of the probability density for short, long, and intermediate distances. In order to quantify the deviation of the arrival time distribution from a Gaussian shape, we evaluate the skewness and the kurtosis.

Analytically solvable model of a driven system with quenched dichotomous disorder.

We perform a time-dependent study of the driven dynamics of overdamped particles that are placed in a one-dimensional, piecewise linear random potential. This setup of spatially quenched disorder then exerts a dichotomous varying random force on the particles. We derive the path integral representation of the resulting probability density function for the position of the particles and transform this quantity of interest into the form of a Fourier integral. In doing so, the evolution of the probability density can be investigated analytically for finite times. It is demonstrated that the probability density contains both a delta -singular contribution and a regular part. While the former part plays a dominant role at short times, the latter rules the behavior at large evolution times. The slow approach of the probability density to a limiting Gaussian form as time tends to infinity is elucidated in detail.

Absolute negative mobility induced by thermal equilibrium fluctuations.

A novel transport phenomenon is identified that is induced by inertial Brownian particles which move in simple one-dimensional, symmetric periodic potentials under the influence of both a time periodic and a constant, biasing driving force. Within tailored parameter regimes, thermal equilibrium fluctuations induce the phenomenon of absolute negative mobility (ANM), which means that the particle noisily moves backwards against a small constant bias. When no thermal fluctuations act, the transport vanishes identically in these tailored regimes. ANM can also occur in the absence of fluctuations on grounds which are rooted solely in the complex, inertial deterministic dynamics. The experimental verification of this new transport scheme is elucidated for the archetype symmetric physical system: a convenient setup consisting of a resistively and capacitively shunted Josephson junction device.

Quantum diffusion in biased washboard potentials: strong friction limit.

Diffusive transport properties of a quantum Brownian particle moving in a tilted spatially periodic potential and strongly interacting with a thermostat are explored. Apart from the average stationary velocity, we foremost investigate the diffusive behavior by evaluating the effective diffusion coefficient together with the corresponding Peclet number. Corrections due to quantum effects, such as quantum tunneling and quantum fluctuations, are shown to substantially enhance the effectiveness of diffusive transport if only the thermostat temperature resides within an appropriate interval of intermediate values.

Flow profiling of a surface-acoustic-wave nanopump.

The flow profile in a capillary gap and the pumping efficiency of an acoustic micropump employing surface acoustic waves is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Ultrasonic surface waves on a piezoelectric substrate strongly couple to a thin liquid layer and generate a quadrupolar streaming pattern within the fluid. We use fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy as complementary tools to investigate the resulting flow profile. The velocity was found to depend on the applied power approximately linearly and to decrease with the inverse third power of the distance from the ultrasound generator on the chip. The found properties reveal acoustic streaming as a promising tool for the controlled agitation during microarray hybridization.

Consistent description of quantum Brownian motors operating at strong friction.

A quantum Smoluchowski equation is put forward that consistently describes thermal quantum states. In particular, it notably does not induce a violation of the second law of thermodynamics. This so modified kinetic equation is applied to study analytically directed quantum transport at strong friction in arbitrarily shaped ratchet potentials that are driven by nonthermal two-state noise. Depending on the mutual interplay of quantum tunneling and quantum reflection these quantum corrections can induce both, a sizable enhancement or a suppression of transport. Moreover, the threshold for current reversals becomes markedly shifted due to such quantum fluctuations.

Brownian motors: current fluctuations and rectification efficiency.

With this work, we investigate an often neglected aspect of Brownian motor transport, namely, the role of fluctuations of the noise-induced current and its consequences for the efficiency of rectifying noise. In doing so, we consider a Brownian inertial motor that is driven by an unbiased monochromatic, time-periodic force and thermal noise. Typically, we find that the asymptotic, time-, and noise-averaged transport velocities are small, possessing rather broad velocity fluctuations. This implies a corresponding poor performance for the rectification power. However, for tailored profiles of the ratchet potential and appropriate drive parameters, we can identify a drastic enhancement of the rectification efficiency. This regime is marked by persistent, unidirectional motion of the Brownian motor with few back-turns only. The corresponding asymmetric velocity distribution is then rather narrow, with a support that predominantly favors only one sign for the velocity.

Interventional procedures in acute myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death in the western world. Primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) has emerged as an effective therapy that may improve survival and decrease morbidity in patients with AMI. Our article discusses the advantages of PCI over thrombolytic therapy and reviews currently available techniques. Rescue angioplasty, adjunctive pharmacologic therapies, economic and feasibility considerations are also discussed. Emerging therapies are also addressed. Evidence supports the first-line use of PCI for AMI. Furthermore, primary PCI appears superior to thrombolytic therapy for AMI in many patient populations, especially the elderly, patients with prior coronary artery bypass surgery, patients with congestive heart failure and in patients with cardiogenic shock. Advancements in equipment and techniques and emerging adjunctive therapies will continue to enhance this therapy and improve its efficacy.

Nonequilibrium coupled Brownian phase oscillators.

A model of globally coupled phase oscillators under equilibrium (driven by Gaussian white noise) and nonequilibrium (driven by symmetric dichotomic fluctuations) is studied. For the equilibrium system, the mean-field state equation takes a simple form and the stability of its solution is examined in the full space of order parameters. For the nonequilbrium system, various asymptotic regimes are obtained in a closed analytical form. In a general case, the corresponding master equations are solved numerically. Moreover, the Monte Carlo simulations of the coupled set of Langevin equations of motion is performed. The phase diagram of the nonequilibrium system is presented. For the long time limit, we have found five regimes. Three of them can be obtained from the mean-field theory. One of them, the oscillating regime, cannot be predicted by the mean-field method and has been detected in the Monte Carlo numerical experiments.

Multiple current reversal in Brownian ratchets.

We address the problem of stationary transport of overdamped Brownian particles in a one-dimensional spatially periodic potential composed of N hills within one period. We show that in a system driven by both thermal equilibrium fluctuations and symmetric dichotomic fluctuations, a proper manipulation of the barrier heights and slopes of the potential leads to multiple drift velocity reversal. Under optimal conditions, the drift velocity as a function of temperature and intensity of dichotomic fluctuations possesses as many as N extrema of alternating signs. There exist N-1 values of a critical temperature which separate regimes of opposite directions of particle transport.

Nonlinearly coupled flows.

We study energy flows that are coupled at a higher than linear order. A number of examples are presented where a force brings about a flow in the perpendicular direction. In some cases the symmetry of the system is such that coupling can only take place at even orders. We apply the theory to recently proposed two-dimensional devices that separate colloidal particles by ratcheting the different particles in different directions.

Intrawell relaxation of overdamped Brownian particles.

We consider an overdamped Brownian particle in a well. When the particle escapes, it does so as an instanton, i.e., in one run and without dwelling anywhere on the way from the bottom of the well to the top of the barrier. For a sufficiently steep slope the instanton time equals the time it takes the particle to deterministically slide down the same slope. We show that the instanton time is also the relaxation time for the escape rate after the barrier changes shape.