Physics – Condensed Matter – Statistical Mechanics
Scientific paper
2000-07-12
Phys. Rev. E 62, 6282 (2000)
Physics
Condensed Matter
Statistical Mechanics
23 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. E
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevE.62.6282
We consider the thermally activated escape of an overdamped Brownian particle over a potential barrier in the presence of periodic driving. A time-dependent path-integral formalism is developed which allows us to derive asymptotically exact weak-noise expressions for both the instantaneous and the time-averaged escape rate. Our results comprise a conceptionally new, systematic treatment of the rate prefactor multiplying the exponentially leading Arrhenius factor. Moreover, an estimate for the deviations at finite noise-strengths is provided and a supersymmetry-type property of the time averaged escape rate is verified. For piecewise parabolic potentials, the rate-expression can be evaluated in closed analytical form, while in more general cases, as exemplified by a cubic potential, an action-integral remains to be minimized numerically. Our comparison with very accurate numerical results demonstrates an excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions over a wide range of driving strengths and driving frequencies.
Hänggi Peter
Lehmann Jörg
Reimann Peter
No associations
LandOfFree
Surmounting Oscillating Barriers: Path-integral approach for Weak Noise does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Surmounting Oscillating Barriers: Path-integral approach for Weak Noise, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Surmounting Oscillating Barriers: Path-integral approach for Weak Noise will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-279280