Ratchet transport of self-propelled chimeras in an asymmetric periodic structure

We studied the rectified transport of underdamped particles subject to phase lag in an asymmetric periodic structure. When the inertia effect is considered, it is possible to observe reversals of the average velocity with small self-propelled force, whereas particles always move in the positive direction with large self-propelled force. The introduction of phase lag leads particles to follow circular orbits and suppress the polar motion. In addition, this can adjust the direction of particle motion. There exists an optimal value of polar interaction strength at which the rectification is maximal. These results open the way for many application processes, such as spatial sorting of particles mixture and separation based on their physical properties.