Equilibrium of a Brownian particle with coordinate dependent diffusivity and damping: Generalized Boltzmann distribution

Abstract

Fick’s law for coordinate dependent diffusivity is derived. Corresponding diffusion current in the presence of coordinate dependent diffusivity is consistent with the form as given by Kramers–Moyal expansion. We have obtained the equilibrium solution of the corresponding Smoluchowski equation. The equilibrium distribution is a generalization of the Boltzmann distribution. This generalized Boltzmann distribution involves an effective potential which is a function of coordinate dependent diffusivity. We discuss various implications of the existence of this generalized Boltzmann distribution for equilibrium of systems with coordinate dependent diffusivity and damping.