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Potential Due to a Polarized Object01:29

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A neutral atom consists of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a negatively charged electron cloud. When placed in an external electric field, the external electric force pulls the electrons and nucleus apart, opposite to the intrinsic attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. The opposing forces balance each other with a slight shift between the center of masses of the nucleus and the electron cloud, resulting in a polarized atom. On the other hand, a few molecules, like water,...
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How Activity Landscapes Polarize Microswimmers without Alignment Forces.

Nicola Andreas Söker1, Sven Auschra2, Viktor Holubec2,3

  • 1Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.

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Active particle suspensions show unique patterns due to microscopic activity, even without particle alignment. Researchers confirmed this polarized layer exerts no bulk pressure, explained by a new analytical theory.

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Area of Science:

  • Physics, Soft Matter
  • Statistical Mechanics
  • Active Matter Physics

Background:

  • Active-particle systems display polarization-density patterns without anisotropic interactions.
  • This phenomenon, observed in motility-induced phase separation, reveals microscopic activity to larger scales.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the polarized interfacial layer of a single thermophoretic microswimmer.
  • To determine if this layer exerts pressure on the bulk fluid.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing a stable, long-term confinement of a single microswimmer in a force-free particle trap.
  • Observing and analyzing the behavior of the polarized interfacial layer.

Main Results:

  • The polarized interfacial layer at a motility step was examined.
  • It was confirmed that this layer does not exert pressure onto the bulk.
  • Observations were quantitatively explained by an analytical theory.

Conclusions:

  • Microscopic activity can create observable polarization patterns without alignment forces.
  • The developed analytical theory accurately describes the behavior of single microswimmers and can be extended to complex systems.