Current Reversals and Synchronization in Coupled Ratchets

Abstract

Current reversal is an intriguing phenomenon that has been central to recent experimental and theoretical investigations of transport based on ratchet mechanism. By considering a system of two interacting ratchets, we demonstrate how the coupling can be used to control the reversals. In particular, we find that current reversal that exists in a single driven ratchet system can ultimately be eliminated with the presence of a second ratchet. For specific coupling strengths a current-reversal free regime has been detected. Furthermore, in the fully synchronized state characterized by the coupling threshold $k_{th}$, a specific driving amplitude $a_{opt}$ is found for which the transport is optimum.

6 pages, 8 figures. To appear in Physical Review E