Dynamical bimodality in equilibrium monostable systems

General features of the stochastic dynamics of classical systems approaching a thermodynamic equilibrium Gibbs state are studied via the numerical analysis of time-dependent solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation for an overdamped particle in various monostable potentials. A large class of initial states can dynamically bifurcate during its time evolution into bimodal transient states, which in turn wear off when approaching the long-time regime. Suitable quantifiers characterizing this transient dynamical bimodality, such as its lifetime, the positions of maxima, and the time-dependent well depth of the probability distribution, are analyzed. Some potential applications are pointed out that make use of this interesting principle which is based on an appropriately chosen initial preparation procedure.