Long-range ordering of velocity-aligned active polymers.

Area of Science:

• Active matter physics
• Polymer physics
• Statistical mechanics

Background:

• Non-equilibrium systems exhibit complex behaviors not seen in equilibrium.
• Active matter, particles with self-propulsion, shows emergent phenomena like self-ordering.
• Covalent bonding's role in active matter self-organization remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the impact of covalent bonding on active particle self-ordering.
• Determine conditions for ordered states in active polymer systems.
• Contrast self-ordering mechanisms with and without covalent bonds.

Main Methods:

• Simulations of active particles with covalent bonds.
• Analysis of self-ordering phenomena under varying active forces and polymerization degrees.
• Transition kinetics analysis to understand suppression mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Self-ordering is absent for single particles but emerges above a critical polymerization degree.
• Ordered state is homogeneous, 2D-like, and exhibits directional motion.
• Self-ordering is observed only at intermediate active force magnitudes; high forces suppress it due to chain swelling.
• Bistable behavior is demonstrated across specific parameter ranges (polymerization, force, density, temperature).

Conclusions:

• Covalent bonding significantly facilitates self-ordering in active particle systems.
• The findings contrast with behaviors observed in active Brownian particles.
• The study highlights the importance of inter-particle interactions in active matter organization.