2011/12/22 by Julian Bialké, Thomas Speck, Hartmut Löwen · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.soft
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.108.168301
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 168301 (2012)
arxiv created 2011/12/22 · arxiv updated 2012/06/12
Using Brownian dynamics computer simulations we show that a two-dimensional suspension of self-propelled ("active") colloidal particles crystallizes at sufficiently high densities. Compared to the equilibrium freezing of passive particles the freezing density is both significantly shifted and depends on the structural or dynamical criterion employed. In non-equilibrium the transition is accompanied by pronounced structural heterogeneities. This leads to a transition region between liquid and solid in which the suspension is globally ordered but unordered liquid-like "bubbles" still persist.