Eur. Phys. J. E (2006) 20: 379-385
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2006-10026-0

Regular Article

Brownian motion near a liquid-like membrane

CPMOH, Université Bordeaux 1 - CNRS (UMR 5798), 351 cours de la Libération, 33405, Talence, France

^* e-mail: th.bickel@cpmoh.u-bordeaux1.fr

Received: 17 January 2006
Accepted: 27 July 2006
Published online: 25 August 2006

Abstract

The dynamics of a tracer molecule near a fluid membrane is investigated, with particular emphasis given to the interplay between the instantaneous position of the particle and membrane fluctuations. It is found that hydrodynamic interactions creates memory effects in the diffusion process. The random motion of the particle is then shown to cross over from a “bulk” to a “surface” diffusive mode, in a way that crucially depends on the elastic properties of the interface.