Semi-Markovian Dynamics of a Self-Propelled Particle in a Confined Environment: A Large-Deviation Study

Abstract

We study the large deviations of the time-integrated current for a self-propelled particle moving within a confined environment. The dynamics is modeled as a semi-Markovian process, where the transitions between a \textit{normal running phase} (Phase $0$) and a \textit{wall-attached phase} (Phase $1$) are governed by time-dependent reset probabilities. We study two different examples: In the first case, the particle undergoes a biased random walk in Phase $0$, while it intermittently resets and interacts with the container boundaries, remaining stationary in Phase $1$. In this scenario, the reset probabilities for transitions between the two phases follow an ``aging'' logic. In the second case, the particle alternates between two active phases: a Markovian Phase $0$ characterized by memoryless, downstream-biased motion, and a semi-Markovian Phase $1$ with a reversed, upstream bias representing boundary-attached navigation. Here, we assume a time-independent survival probability in Phase $0$ and a time-dependent one in Phase $1$. By analyzing the Scaled Cumulant Generating Function (SCGF) in the long-time limit, we derive the conditions for Dynamical Phase Transition (DPT)s in the fluctuations of the particle velocity. We demonstrate that, depending on the aging strength, the system exhibits either discontinuous (first-order) or continuous (second-order) DPTs. Analytical predictions are validated via computer simulations.

arXiv comment17 pages, 6 figures

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Cited by in corpus (1)

• Giant Fluctuations in Self-Propelled Particles with Age-Dependent Switching