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Modelling and Simulation

Working Group 8.41

Publications 8.41

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Article

Title: Vortex arrays and mesoscale turbulence of self-propelled particles
Author(s): R. Großmann, P. Romanczuk, M. Bär and L. Schimansky-Geier
Journal: Phys. Rev. Lett.
Year: 2014
Volume: 113
Issue: 25
Pages: 258104
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.258104
ISSN: 1079-7114
Web URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25554911
Keywords: pattern formation,turbulence
Tags: 8.41,ActMatt,8.43
Abstract: Inspired by the Turing mechanism for pattern formation, we propose a simple self-propelled particle model with short-range alignment and antialignment at larger distances. It is able to produce orientationally ordered states, periodic vortex patterns, and mesoscale turbulence, which resembles observations in dense suspensions of swimming bacteria. The model allows a systematic derivation and analysis of a kinetic theory as well as hydrodynamic equations for density and momentum fields. A phase diagram with regions of pattern formation as well as orientational order is obtained from a linear stability analysis of these continuum equations. Microscopic Langevin simulations of self-propelled particles are in agreement with these findings.

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