We study self-propelled motion of an active Brownian particle moving in a periodic, ratchet-type potential and subject to energy support distributed in quantized portions according to a Poisson spiking process. The motor features of such a system are examined by analyzing its ability to perform work against additional external load. The control parameter of the system is a mean duration time between subsequent energy pulses. Our analysis indicates that directionality of the motion depends strongly on the correlation time between events of energy supply and can be adjusted to maintain optimal functionality of the motor.

• Received 6 November 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.87.032111