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Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics
Published on: January 13, 2023
Critical behavior in active lattice models of motility-induced phase separation
Florian Dittrich1, Thomas Speck2, Peter Virnau1
1Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
Lattice models allow for a computationally efficient investigation of motility-induced phase separation (MIPS) compared to off-lattice systems. Simulations are less demanding, and thus, bigger systems can be accessed with higher accuracy and better statistics. In equilibrium, lattice and off-lattice models with comparable interactions belong to the same universality class. Whether concepts of universality also hold for active particles is still a controversial and open question. Here, we examine two recently proposed active lattice systems that undergo MIPS and investigate numerically their critical behavior. In particular, we examine the claim that these systems and MIPS in general belong to the Ising universality class. We also take a more detailed look on the influence and role of rotational diffusion and active velocity in these systems.
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