We explore the nonequilibrium dissipative dynamics of a system of identical charged particles trapped on a closed helix. The particles are subject to an external force accelerating them along the underlying structure. The effective interactions between the charges induce a coupling of the center of mass to the relative motion which in turn gives rise to a pinned-to-sliding transition with increasing magnitude of the external force. In the sliding regime we observe an Ohmic behavior signified by a constant mobility. Within the same regime a structural transition of the helical particle chain takes place with increasing the helix radius leading to a global change of the crystalline arrangement. The resulting crystal is characterized by the existence of multiple defects whose number increases with the helix radius.

• Received 25 November 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.95.022205