Understanding the edge effect in TASEP with mean-field theoretic approaches

We study a totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) with one defect site, hopping rate q < 1, near the system boundary. Regarding our system as a pair of uniform TASEP’s coupled through the defect, we study various methods to match a finite TASEP and an infinite one across a common boundary. Several approximation schemes are investigated. Utilizing the finite segment mean-field (FSMF) method, we set up a framework for computing the steady state current J as a function of the entry rate α and q. For the case where the defect is located at the entry site, we obtain an analytical expression for J (α, q) which is in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulation results. When the defect is located deeper in the bulk, we refined the scheme of MacDonald, et.al. [Biopolymers, 6, 1 (1968)] and find reasonably good fits to the density profiles before the defect site. We discuss the strengths and limitations of each method, as well as possible avenues for further studies.