An effective one dimensional approach to calculating mean first passage time in multi-dimensional potentials*

Thermally-activated escape processes in multi-dimensional potentials are of interest to a variety of fields, so being able to calculate the rate of escape -- or the mean first-passage time (MFPT) -- is important. Unlike in one dimension, there is no general, exact formula for the MFPT. Langer's formula, a multi-dimensional generalization of Kramers' one-dimensional formula, provides an approximate result when the barrier to escape is large. Kramers' and Langer's formulae are related to one another by the potential of mean force (PMF). We build on this result by using the PMF in the exact, one-dimensional expression for the MFPT. Our model offers better agreement with Brownian dynamics simulations than Langer's formula, though discrepancies arise when the potential becomes less confining along the direction of escape. When the energy barrier is small our model offers significant improvements upon Langer's theory. Finally, the optimal direction along which to evaluate the PMF no longer corresponds to the unstable mode at the saddle point.