arXiv subjects

Udo Seifert

Publications and source records attributed to Udo Seifert.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Optimal potentials for temperature ratchets

In a spatially periodic temperature profile, directed transport of an overdamped Brownian particle can be induced along a periodic potential. With a load force applied to the particle, this setup can perform as a heat engine. For a given load, the optimal potential maximizes the current and thus the power output of the heat engine. We calculate the optimal potential for different temperature profiles and show that in the limit of a periodic piecewise constant temperature profile alternating between two temperatures, the optimal potential leads to a divergent current. This divergence, being an effect of both the overdamped limit and the infinite temperature gradient at the interface, would be cut off in any real experiment.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Extended Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem for Soft Matter in Stationary Flow

For soft matter systems strongly driven by stationary flow, we discuss an extended fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT). Beyond the linear response regime, the FDT for the stress acquires an additional contribution involving the observable that is conjugate to the strain rate with respect to the dissipation function. This extended FDT is evaluated both analytically for Rouse polymers and in numerical simulations for colloidal suspensions. More generally, our results suggest an extension of Onsager's regression principle to nonequilibrium steady states.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2009

Elastic capsules in shear flow: Analytical solutions for constant and time-dependent shear rates

We investigate the dynamics of microcapsules in linear shear flow within a reduced model with two degrees of freedom. In previous work for steady shear flow, the dynamic phases of this model, i.e. swinging, tumbling and intermittent behaviour, have been identified using numerical methods. In this paper, we integrate the equations of motion in the quasi-spherical limit analytically for time-constant and time-dependent shear flow using matched asymptotic expansions. Using this method, we find analytical expressions for the mean tumbling rate in general time-dependent shear flow. The capsule dynamics is studied in more detail when the inverse shear rate is harmonically modulated around a constant mean value for which a dynamic phase diagram is constructed. By a judicious choice of both modulation frequency and phase, tumbling motion can be induced even if the mean shear rate corresponds to the swinging regime. We derive expressions for the amplitude and width of the resonance peaks as a function of the modulation frequency.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2008

Optimal protocols for minimal work processes in underdamped stochastic thermodynamics

For systems in an externally controllable time-dependent potential, the optimal protocol minimizes the mean work spent in a finite-time transition between two given equilibrium states. For overdamped dynamics which ignores inertia effects, the optimal protocol has been found to involve jumps of the control parameter at the beginning and end of the process. Including the inertia term, we show that this feature not only persists but that even delta peak-like changes of the control parameter at both boundaries make the process optimal. These results are obtained by analyzing two simple paradigmatic cases: First, a Brownian particle dragged by a harmonic optical trap through a viscous fluid and, second, a Brownian particle subject to an optical trap with time-dependent stiffness. These insights could be used to improve free energy calculations via either thermodynamic integration or "fast growth" methods using Jarzynski's equality.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2008

Efficiency of molecular motors at maximum power

Molecular motors transduce chemical energy obtained from hydrolizing ATP into mechanical work exerted against an external force. We calculate their efficiency at maximum power output for two simple generic models and show that the qualitative behaviour depends crucially on the position of the transition state. Specifically, we find a transition state near the initial state (sometimes characterized as a "power stroke") to be most favorable with respect to both high power output and high efficiency at maximum power. In this regime, driving the motor further out of equilibrium by applying higher chemical potential differences can even, counter-intuitively, increase the efficiency.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2008

Large deviation function for entropy production in driven one-dimensional systems

The large deviation function for entropy production is calculated for a particle driven along a periodic potential by solving a time-independent eigenvalue problem. In an intermediate force regime, the large deviation function shows pronounced deviations from a Gaussian behavior with a characteristic ``kink'' at zero entropy production. Such a feature can also be extracted from the analytical solution of the asymmetric random walk to which the driven particle can be mapped in a certain parameter range.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2007

Role of External Flow and Frame Invariance in Stochastic Thermodynamics

For configurational changes of soft matter systems affected or caused by external hydrodynamic flow, we identify applied work, exchanged heat, and entropy change on the level of a single trajectory. These expressions guarantee invariance of stochastic thermodynamics under a change of frame of reference. As criterion for equilibrium \textit{vs.} nonequilibrium, zero \textit{vs.} nonzero applied work replaces detailed balance \textit{vs.} nonvanishing currents, since both latter criteria are shown to depend on the frame of reference. Our results are illustrated quantitatively by calculating the large deviation function for the entropy production of a dumbbell in shear flow.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2007

Efficiency at maximum power: An analytically solvable model for stochastic heat engines

We study a class of cyclic Brownian heat engines in the framework of finite-time thermodynamics. For infinitely long cycle times, the engine works at the Carnot efficiency limit producing, however, zero power. For the efficiency at maximum power, we find a universal expression, different from the endoreversible Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency. Our results are illustrated with a simple one-dimensional engine working in and with a time-dependent harmonic potential.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2007

Stochastic thermodynamics: Principles and perspectives

Stochastic thermodynamics provides a framework for describing small systems like colloids or biomolecules driven out of equilibrium but still in contact with a heat bath. Both, a first-law like energy balance involving exchanged heat and entropy production entering refinements of the second law can consistently be defined along single stochastic trajectories. Various exact relations involving the distribution of such quantities like integral and detailed fluctuation theorems for total entropy production and the Jarzynski relation follow from such an approach based on Langevin dynamics. Analogues of these relations can be proven for any system obeying a stochastic master equation like, in particular, (bio)chemically driven enzyms or whole reaction networks. The perspective of investigating such relations for stochastic field equations like the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation is sketched as well.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2007

Curvature-coupling dependence of membrane protein diffusion coefficients

We consider the lateral diffusion of a protein interacting with the curvature of the membrane. The interaction energy is minimized if the particle is at a membrane position with a certain curvature that agrees with the spontaneous curvature of the particle. We employ stochastic simulations that take into account both the thermal fluctuations of the membrane and the diffusive behavior of the particle. In this study we neglect the influence of the particle on the membrane dynamics, thus the membrane dynamics agrees with that of a freely fluctuating membrane. Overall, we find that this curvature-coupling substantially enhances the diffusion coefficient. We compare the ratio of the projected or measured diffusion coefficient and the free intramembrane diffusion coefficient, which is a parameter of the simulations, with analytical results that rely on several approximations. We find that the simulations always lead to a somewhat smaller diffusion coefficient than our analytical approach. A detailed study of the correlations of the forces acting on the particle indicates that the diffusing inclusion tries to follow favorable positions on the membrane, such that forces along the trajectory are on average smaller than they would be for random particle positions.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2007

Two-Dimensional Fluctuating Vesicles in Linear Shear Flow

The stochastic motion of a two-dimensional vesicle in linear shear flow is studied at finite temperature. In the limit of small deformations from a circle, Langevin-type equations of motion are derived, which are highly nonlinear due to the constraint of constant perimeter length. These equations are solved in the low temperature limit and using a mean field approach, in which the length constraint is satisfied only on average. The constraint imposes non-trivial correlations between the lowest deformation modes at low temperature. We also simulate a vesicle in a hydrodynamic solvent by using the multi-particle collision dynamics technique, both in the quasi-circular regime and for larger deformations, and compare the stationary deformation correlation functions and the time autocorrelation functions with theoretical predictions. Good agreement between theory and simulations is obtained.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2007

Jarzynski Relation, Fluctuation Theorems, and Stochastic Thermodynamics for Non-Markovian Processes

We prove the Jarzynski relation for general stochastic processes including non-Markovian systems with memory. The only requirement for our proof is the existence of a stationary state, therefore excluding non-ergodic systems. We then show how the concepts of stochastic thermodynamics can be used to prove further exact non-equilibrium relations like the Crooks relation and the fluctuation theorem on entropy production for non-Markovian dynamics.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2007

Optimal finite-time processes in stochastic thermodynamics

For a small system like a colloidal particle or a single biomolecule embedded in a heat bath, the optimal protocol of an external control parameter minimizes the mean work required to drive the system from one given equilibrium state to another in a finite time. In general, this optimal protocol obeys an integro-differential equation. Explicite solutions both for a moving laser trap and a time-dependent strength of such a trap show finite jumps of the optimal protocol to be typical both at the beginning and the end of the process.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2006

Stochastic thermodynamics of chemical reaction networks

For chemical reaction networks described by a master equation, we define energy and entropy on a stochastic trajectory and develop a consistent nonequilibrium thermodynamic description along a single stochastic trajectory of reaction events. A first-law like energy balance relates internal energy, applied (chemical) work and dissipated heat for every single reaction. Entropy production along a single trajectory involves a sum over changes in the entropy of the network itself and the entropy of the medium. The latter is given by the exchanged heat identified through the first law. Total entropy production is constrained by an integral fluctuation theorem for networks arbitrarily driven by time-dependent rates and a detailed fluctuation theorem for networks in the steady state. Further exact relations like a generalized Jarzynski relation and a generalized Clausius inequality are discussed. We illustrate these results for a three-species cyclic reaction network which exhibits nonequilibrium steady states as well as transitions between different steady states.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2006

Fluctuation spectra of free and supported membrane pairs

Fluctuation spectra of fluid compound membrane systems are calculated. The systems addressed contain two (or more) almost parallel membranes that are connected by harmonic tethers or by a continuous, harmonic confining potential. Additionally, such a compound system can be attached to a supporting substrate. We compare quasi-analytical results for tethers with analytical results for corresponding continuous models and investigate under what circumstances the discrete nature of the tethers actually influences the fluctuations. A tethered, supported membrane pair with similar bending rigidities and stiff tethers can possess a nonmonotonic fluctuation spectrum with a maximum. A nonmonotonic spectrum with a maximum and a minimum can occur for an either free or supported membrane pair of rather different bending rigidities and for stiff tethers. Typical membrane displacements are calculated for supported membrane pairs with discrete or continuous interacting potentials. Thereby an estimate of how close the constituent two membranes and the substrate typically approach each other is given. For a supported membrane pair with discrete or continuous interactions, the typical displacements of each membrane are altered with respect to a single supported membrane, where those of the membrane near the substrate are diminished and those of the membrane further away are enhanced.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2006

Hybrid simulations of lateral diffusion in fluctuating membranes

In this paper we introduce a novel method to simulate lateral diffusion of inclusions in a fluctuating membrane. The regarded systems are governed by two dynamic processes: the height fluctuations of the membrane and the diffusion of the inclusion along the membrane. While membrane fluctuations can be expressed in terms of a dynamic equation which follows from the Helfrich Hamiltonian, the dynamics of the diffusing particle is described by a Langevin or Smoluchowski equation. In the latter equations, the curvature of the surface needs to be accounted for, which makes particle diffusion a function of membrane fluctuations. In our scheme these coupled dynamic equations, the membrane equation and the Langevin equation for the particle, are numerically integrated to simulate diffusion in a membrane. The simulations are used to study the ratio of the diffusion coefficient projected on a flat plane and the intramembrane diffusion coefficient for the case of free diffusion. We compare our results with recent analytical results that employ a preaveraging approximation and analyze the validity of this approximation. A detailed simulation study of the relevant correlation functions reveals a surprisingly large range where the approximation is applicable.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2006

Adhesion of microcapsules

The adhesion of microcapsules to an attractive contact potential is studied theoretically. The axisymmetric shape equations are solved numerically. Beyond a universal threshold strength of the potential, the contact radius increases like a square root of the strength. Scaling functions for the corresponding amplitudes are derived as a function of the elastic parameters.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2006

Entropy production for mechanically or chemically driven biomolecules

Entropy production along a single stochastic trajectory of a biomolecule is discussed for two different sources of non-equilibrium. For a molecule manipulated mechanically by an AFM or an optical tweezer, entropy production (or annihilation) occurs in the molecular conformation proper or in the surrounding medium. Within a Langevin dynamics, a unique identification of these two contributions is possible. The total entropy change obeys an integral fluctuation theorem and a class of further exact relations, which we prove for arbitrarily coupled slow degrees of freedom including hydrodynamic interactions. These theoretical results can therefore also be applied to driven colloidal systems. For transitions between different internal conformations of a biomolecule involving unbalanced chemical reactions, we provide a thermodynamically consistent formulation and identify again the two sources of entropy production, which obey similar exact relations. We clarify the particular role degenerate states have in such a description.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗