Dynamical Self-regulation in Self-propelled Particle Flows

2011/12/27 by Gopinath, Arvind, Hagan, Michael F., Marchetti, M. Cristina +1
#Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)

paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1112.6011

Abstract

We study a continuum model of overdamped self-propelled particles with an aligning interaction in two dimensions. By combining analytical and numerical work, we map out the phase diagram for generic parameters. We find that the system self-organizes into two robust structures in different regions of parameter space: solitary waves of ordered swarms moving through a low density disordered background, and stationary asters. The self-regulating nature of the flow yields phase separation, ubiquitous in this class of systems, and controls the formation of solitary waves. Self-propulsion and the associated active convection play a crucial role in aster formation. A new result of our work is a phase diagram that displays these different regimes in a unified manner.

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