Environment dependent transport in multiple-asymmetric-well-potentials

Marcus Beims

Universidade Federal do Parana, Departamento de Fisica, Caixa Postal 19044, 81531-990 Curitiba - PR, BRAZIL

The classical transport of particles in multiple asymmetric well potentials is studied through numerical integration of equations of motion. The problem considered is an one-particle system in a multiple asymmetric well potential coupled to harmonic oscillators (the environment) and subjected to an external time-dependent field. Energy flow between system and oscillators is discussed and the transport is analyzed as a function of coupling strength and number of oscillators. It is shown that by increasing the coupling strength or the number of oscillators, the transport process can be destroyed.