Vortex Arrays and Mesoscale Turbulence of Self-Propelled Particles

Robert Großmann, Pawel Romanczuk, Markus Bär, and Lutz Schimansky-Geier
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 258104 – Published 19 December 2014
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Abstract

Inspired by the Turing mechanism for pattern formation, we propose a simple self-propelled particle model with short-range alignment and antialignment at larger distances. It is able to produce orientationally ordered states, periodic vortex patterns, and mesoscale turbulence, which resembles observations in dense suspensions of swimming bacteria. The model allows a systematic derivation and analysis of a kinetic theory as well as hydrodynamic equations for density and momentum fields. A phase diagram with regions of pattern formation as well as orientational order is obtained from a linear stability analysis of these continuum equations. Microscopic Langevin simulations of self-propelled particles are in agreement with these findings.

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  • Received 26 May 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.258104

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Robert Großmann1,*, Pawel Romanczuk1, Markus Bär1, and Lutz Schimansky-Geier2

  • 1Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Berlin, Abbestraße 2-12, 10587 Berlin, Germany
  • 2Department of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstraße 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany

  • *Corresponding author. grossmann@physik.hu-berlin.de

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Issue

Vol. 113, Iss. 25 — 19 December 2014

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