Origin of Hyperdiffusion in Generalized Brownian Motion

Abstract

We study a minimal non-Markovian model of superdiffusion which originates from long-range velocity correlations within the generalized Langevin equation approach. The model allows for a three-dimensional Markovian embedding. The emergence of a transient hyperdiffusion, (Δx2(t))∝t(2+λ), with λ∼1-3 is detected in tilted washboard potentials before it ends up in a ballistic asymptotic regime. We relate this phenomenon to a transient heating of particles T(kin)(t)∝t(λ) from the thermal bath temperature T to some maximal kinetic temperature Tmax. This hyperdiffusive transient regime ceases when the particles arrive at the maximal kinetic temperature.