Splitting probabilities for dynamics in corrugated channels: Passive vs. active Brownian motion(a)

- In many practically important problems which rely on particles' transport in realistic corrugated channels, one is interested in knowing the probability that either of the extremities (e.g., the one containing a chemically active site, or connected to a broader channel) is reached before the other one. In mathematical literature, the latter are called the splitting probabilities (SPs). Here, within the Fick-Jacobs approach, we study analytically the SPs as functions of system's parameters for dynamics in three-dimensional corrugated channels, confronting standard diffusion and active Brownian motion. Our analysis reveals some similarities in the behavior and also some markedly different features, which can be seen as fingerprints of the activity of particles.

Automated summary

In many practical problems, it is important to know the probability of reaching either end of a realistic corrugated channel before the other. These probabilities are called splitting probabilities (SPs) in mathematical literature. In this study, using the Fick-Jacobs approach, we analytically investigate the SPs as functions of system parameters for dynamics in three-dimensional corrugated channels, comparing standard diffusion and active Brownian motion. Our analysis reveals similarities and distinct features that can be attributed to the activity of particles.