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Rapid-prototyping a Brownian particle in an active bath
Jin Tae Park1, Govind Paneru2, Chulan Kwon3
1Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, South Korea. sgranick@gmail.com hyuk.k.pak@gmail.com and Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea.
Soft Matter
|July 23, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a minimal model for active matter, simulating particle movement driven by programmed forces. It explains how these forces affect particle diffusion and heat dissipation, applicable to real-world active bath experiments.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Soft Matter Physics
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- Active matter systems exhibit particle mobility distinct from standard thermal diffusion.
- Understanding these non-equilibrium systems is crucial for diverse scientific fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a minimal, versatile model for simulating active matter systems.
- To analyze the impact of programmed forces on particle diffusion and heat dissipation.
- To provide a framework for interpreting experimental results in active baths.
Main Methods:
- A particle in an optical trap potential is subjected to programmed kicks following a Poisson process.
- Analysis of displacement distributions (Gaussian or non-Gaussian) and diffusion behavior.
- Quantification of heat dissipation in non-equilibrium steady states.
Main Results:
- The model identifies conditions influencing Gaussian versus non-Gaussian displacements.
- It quantifies how external kicks perturb Brownian diffusion.
- The model successfully reproduces experimental data for tracer mobility in algal cell active baths.
Conclusions:
- The developed minimal model offers a powerful tool for studying active matter.
- It serves as a generic stochastic dynamic simulator for Brownian objects in active baths.
- The framework allows for analysis without requiring detailed mechanistic understanding of the active bath.
