Enhanced diffusivity in microscopically reversible active matter

Abstract

The physics of self-propelled objects at the nanoscale is a rapidly developing research field where recent experiments have focused on the motion of individual catalytic enzymes. Contrary to the experimental advancements, theoretical understanding of the possible self-propulsion mechanisms at these scales is limited. A particularly puzzling question concerns the origins of the reportedly high diffusivities of the individual enzymes. Here we start with the fundamental principle of microscopic reversibility (MR) of chemical reactions powering self-propulsion and demonstrate that MR can lead to an increase of the particle mobility and of the short- and long-time diffusion coefficients as compared to dynamics where MR is neglected. Furthermore, the derived diffusion coefficients are enhanced due to the action of an external force. These results can shed new light on interpretations of the measured diffusivities and help to test the relevance of MR for the active motion of individual nanoswimmers.