Phase transitions induced by complex nonlinear noise in a system of self-propelled agents

We propose a comprehensive dynamical model for cooperative motion of self-propelled particles, e.g., flocking, by combining well-known elements such as velocity-alignment interactions, spatial interactions, and angular noise into a unified Lagrangian treatment. Noise enters into our model in an especially realistic way: it incorporates correlations, is highly nonlinear, and it leads to a unique collective behavior. Our results show distinct stability regions and an apparent change in the nature of one class of noise-induced phase transitions, with respect to the mean velocity of the group, as the range of the velocity-alignment interaction increases. This phase-transition change comes accompanied with drastic modifications of the microscopic dynamics, from nonintermittent to intermittent. Our results facilitate the understanding of the origin of the phase transitions present in other treatments.