Analytic descriptions of stochastic bistable systems under force ramp

Phys Rev E. 2016 May;93(5):052126. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.93.052126. Epub 2016 May 13.

Abstract

Solving the two-state master equation with time-dependent rates, the ubiquitous driven bistable system, is a long-standing problem that does not permit a complete solution for all driving rates. Here we show an accurate approximation to this problem by considering the system in the control parameter regime. The results are immediately applicable to a diverse range of bistable systems including single-molecule mechanics.