Energetics, coherent transport and work fluctuations of a Brownian particle driven by time dependent temperature

We study the efficiency and transport coherence of a Brownian particle in an asymmetric potential and driven by time dependent temperature, also known as a diffusion ratchet. Effect of coupling between many different Bownian particles is also discussed. Work fluctuations of the Brownian particle in a bistable potential and subject to time dependent temperature is studied and the Jarzynski equality is confirmed from numerical solution of the Langevin equation. Analytical results obtained for a harmonic potential are also presnted.