Tuning active Brownian motion with shot-noise energy pulses

Abstract

The main aim of this work is to explore the possibility of modeling the biological energysupport mediated by absorption of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) as an energetic shotnoise. We develop a general model with discrete input of energy pulses and studyshot-noise-driven ratchets. We consider these ratchets as prototypes of Brownian motorsdriven by energy-rich ATP molecules. Our model is a stochastic machine able to acquireenergy from the environment and convert it into kinetic energy of motion. We presentcharacteristic features and demonstrate the possibility of tuning these motors by adaptingthe mean frequency of the discrete energy inputs, which are described as a special shotnoise. In particular, the effect of stochastically driven directionality and uphillflux in systems acquiring energy from the shot noise is analyzed. As a possibleapplication we consider the motion of kinesin on a microtubule under a constant loadforce.