We consider a Brownian particle in a periodic potential under heavy damping. The second law forbids it from displaying any net drift speed, even if the symmetry of the potential is broken. But if the particle is subject to an external force having time correlations, detailed balance is lost and the particle can exhibit a nonzero net drift speed. Thus, broken symmetry and time correlations are sufficient ingredients for transport.

• Received 6 April 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.71.1477