Efficiency and current reversals in spatially inhomogeneous ratchets

Abstract

Efficiency of generation of net unidirectional current in an adiabatically driven symmetric periodic potential system is studied. The efficiency shows a maximum, in the case of an inhomogeneous system with spatially varying periodic friction coefficient, as a function of temperature. The ratchet is not most efficient when it gives maximum current. The direction of current may also be reversed as a function of noise strength when, instead, an asymmetric periodic potential is considered.