Odd pathways speed up self-assembly
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arXiv
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | Preprint |
| Publicado: |
2026
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| _version_ | 1866913059045376000 |
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| author | Dopierała, Dawid Cocconi, Luca Jack, Robert L. Souslov, Anton |
| author_facet | Dopierała, Dawid Cocconi, Luca Jack, Robert L. Souslov, Anton |
| contents | Active self-assembly can bypass equilibrium bottlenecks through external energy injection. However, generic driving typically distorts target structures and requires sustained energy input even after assembly is complete. Here, we investigate a class of non-reciprocal interactions that accelerates assembly while preserving the equilibrium Boltzmann distribution. The probability currents induced by these odd interactions reshape fundamental processes, including activated barrier crossing, soft-mode relaxation, and transitions between metastable states. In particular, these currents enhance Arrhenius rates by driving particles across otherwise inaccessible free-energy barriers. We show that this acceleration arises from an effective increase in the mobility of the reaction coordinate, mediated by non-reciprocal coupling between mechanical modes. In turn, we discover a trade-off between kinetic acceleration and power dissipation when active forces are engaged. Our results suggest a route to energy-efficient, high-fidelity self-assembly via active catalysts that transiently accelerate relaxation toward equilibrium targets and deactivate upon reaching the desired state. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_22408 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Odd pathways speed up self-assembly Dopierała, Dawid Cocconi, Luca Jack, Robert L. Souslov, Anton Soft Condensed Matter Active self-assembly can bypass equilibrium bottlenecks through external energy injection. However, generic driving typically distorts target structures and requires sustained energy input even after assembly is complete. Here, we investigate a class of non-reciprocal interactions that accelerates assembly while preserving the equilibrium Boltzmann distribution. The probability currents induced by these odd interactions reshape fundamental processes, including activated barrier crossing, soft-mode relaxation, and transitions between metastable states. In particular, these currents enhance Arrhenius rates by driving particles across otherwise inaccessible free-energy barriers. We show that this acceleration arises from an effective increase in the mobility of the reaction coordinate, mediated by non-reciprocal coupling between mechanical modes. In turn, we discover a trade-off between kinetic acceleration and power dissipation when active forces are engaged. Our results suggest a route to energy-efficient, high-fidelity self-assembly via active catalysts that transiently accelerate relaxation toward equilibrium targets and deactivate upon reaching the desired state. |
| title | Odd pathways speed up self-assembly |
| topic | Soft Condensed Matter |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.22408 |