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【Abstract】

Confinement affects stochastic processes, shaping trapping and escape dynamics, which are ubiquitous in soft matter and living systems. Here, we show that confinement can act as a geometry-dependent rectifier in passive systems, inducing optimally rapid first-passage events beyond free diffusion. Through analytic theory based on the Fick-Jacobs approach and Brownian dynamics simulations, we find nonmonotonic mean first-passage rates driven by the geometry of confinement. Our findings demonstrate how confinement enhances transport and reaction dynamics in trap-and-escape processes.