Enhanced dumbbell diffusion in a periodic potential by the elevator effect (opens in new tab)

We present molecular dynamics simulations of the random walk of a dumbbell - two beads connected by a spring - in a one-dimensional periodic potential and compare our results in limiting cases to theoretical analytical equations. The relevant parameters in this system are the spring constant, the equilibrium distance of the spring (relative to the periodicity of the potential), and the amplitude of the potential. Dumbbells with equilibrium dista...