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Nonequilibrium phase transition in single-file transport at high crowding
Annika Vonhusen1, Sören Schweers1, Artem Ryabov2
1Universität Osnabrück, Fachbereich Mathematik/Informatik/Physik, Barbarastraße 7, Osnabrück D-49076, Germany.
Chaos (Woodbury, N.Y.)
|December 11, 2025
Summary
Particle transport in confined spaces can undergo a nonequilibrium phase transition at high densities. This shift moves from thermally activated movement to solitary wave propagation, altering collective dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Complex Systems
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- Driven particle transport is crucial in crowded and confining environments.
- Understanding emergent states and collective dynamics is a key research objective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nonequilibrium phase transitions in periodic structures at high particle densities.
- To characterize the transition between different transport regimes and their associated universality classes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of particle transport in periodic structures.
- Identification of phase transitions based on particle density.
- Characterization of current fluctuations and universality classes.
Main Results:
- A nonequilibrium phase transition was observed in periodic structures at high particle densities.
- The transition separates a weak-current phase (thermally activated transport) from a high-current phase (solitary wave propagation).
- A change in universality classes for particle current fluctuations accompanies the transition.
Conclusions:
- Increasing particle densities beyond critical values can induce sudden shifts to high-current transport states.
- The findings reveal novel emergent dynamics in driven particle systems.
- This work provides insights into nonequilibrium phase transitions and collective behavior.
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