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Dynamical Crystallites of Active Chiral Particles.
Zhi-Feng Huang1, Andreas M Menzel2,3, Hartmut Löwen2
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|December 4, 2020
Summary
Active particle systems exhibit novel dynamics due to coupling between self-propulsion and self-spinning. This study reveals transitions between collective motion, structural arrest, and frustrated states, alongside self-rotating crystallites.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Soft Matter Physics
- Nonlinear Dynamics
Background:
- Far-from-equilibrium systems display unique dynamics beyond conventional thermodynamics.
- Active particles form ordered patterns exhibiting collective behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate nonpotential active systems with coupled chiral self-propulsion and self-spinning.
- Characterize emergent dynamical regimes and phase transitions.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical examination of active particle systems.
- Analysis of coupled self-propulsion and self-spinning effects.
- Identification of bulk and interface-driven phenomena.
Main Results:
- Observed transitions between collective translative motion, spinning-induced structural arrest, and dynamical frustration.
- Identified self-rotating crystallites via a localized-delocalized transition at the crystal-melt interface.
- Demonstrated self-shearing and self-flow of active crystalline layers.
Conclusions:
- Coupling chiral self-propulsion and self-spinning dictates system dynamics and emergent behaviors.
- Interface phenomena drive novel dynamical states like self-rotating crystallites.
- Mechanisms for breaking localized states enable control over active crystal flow.
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