We propose a master equation approach to investigate the transition function and the escape dynamics of a general damping particle in a metastable potential. The transition function in the master equation is obtained analytically from the Langevin dynamics. We apply it to the oscillating barrier problem, in which the potential is structured by a harmonic potential smoothly linking with an inverse harmonic one, and thus both the barrier height and the curvature of potential change periodically with time. We use a Monte Carlo method to simulate the master equation and then calculate a time-dependent escape rate. This can decrease the coarse grain and save more computing time in comparison with the Langevin simulation. Our result has shown that there is a resonant activation phenomenon for the escape rate in the underdamped case.

• Received 12 June 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.83.011127