Diffusion dynamics in branched spherical structure

Abstract

Diffusion on a spherical surface with trapping is a common phenomenon in cell biology and porous systems. In this paper, we study the diffusion dynamics in a branched spherical structure and explore the influence of the geometry of the structure on the diffusion process. The process is a spherical movement that occurs only for a fixed radius and is interspersed with a radial motion inward and outward the sphere. Two scenarios govern the transport process in the spherical cavity: free diffusion and diffusion under external velocity. The diffusion dynamics is described by using the concepts of probability density function (PDF) and mean square displacement (MSD) by Fokker–Planck equation in a spherical coordinate system. The effects of dead ends, sphere curvature, and velocity on PDF and MSD are analyzed numerically in detail. We find a transient non-Gaussian distribution and sub-diffusion regime governing the angular dynamics. The results show that the diffusion dynamics strengthens as the curvature of the spherical surface increases and an external force is exerted in the same direction of the motion.