Rectification Efficiency of the Feynman Ratchet

Abstract

The rectification efficiency, recently formulated based on the Langevin equation without the overdamping approximation for the flashing ratchet model, is generalized and applied to the Feynman ratchet which is in contact with two reservoirs with different temperatures. By numerical simulations of the Langevin equation, we examine the dynamics at various temperature differences from the viewpoint of rectification efficiency and find that the direction and the mechanism of the ratchet movement is controlled by the temperature difference of the two reservoirs.