Feynman's ratchet and pawl: an exactly solvable model
Statistical Mechanics
2009-10-31 v2
Abstract
We introduce a simple, discrete model of Feynman's ratchet and pawl, operating between two heat reservoirs. We solve exactly for the steady-state directed motion and heat flows produced, first in the absence and then in the presence of an external load. We show that the model can act both as a heat engine and as a refrigerator. We finally investigate the behavior of the system near equilibrium, and use our model to confirm general predictions based on linear response theory.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/9902056,
title = {Feynman's ratchet and pawl: an exactly solvable model},
author = {C. Jarzynski and O. Mazonka},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/9902056},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
19 pages + 10 figures; somewhat tighter presentation