Coupled Brownian motors: Anomalous hysteresis and zero-bias negative conductance

Abstract

{ We introduce a model of interacting Brownian particles in a symmetric ,p eriodic potential that undergoes a noise-induced non-equilibrium phase transition. The associated spontaneous symmetry,breaking entails a ratchet-like transport mechanism. In response to an external force we identify several novel features; among,the most prominent being a zero-bias negative conductance and a prima facie counterintuitive, anomalous hysteresis. The subject of this letter lies at the borderline of three topics of current interest. The rst