Entrainment and Unit Velocity: Surprises in an Accelerated Exclusion Process

Publication Date

Fall 9-28-2012

Description

We introduce a class of distance-dependent interactions in an accelerated exclusion process inspired by the observation of transcribing RNA polymerase speeding up when “pushed” by a trailing one. On a ring, the accelerated exclusion process steady state displays a discontinuous transition, from being homogeneous (with augmented currents) to phase segregated. In the latter state, the holes appear loosely bound and move together, much like a train. Surprisingly, the current-density relation is simply J=1-ρ, signifying that the “hole train” travels with unit velocity.

Journal

Physical Review Letters

Volume

109

Issue

13

Department

Physics & Astronomy

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