Enhanced diffusion and ordering of self-propelled rods
Starting from a minimal physical model of self-propelled hard rods on a substrate in two dimensions, we derive a modified Smoluchowski equation for the system. Self-propulsion enhances longitudinal diffusion and modifies the mean-field excluded volume interaction. From the Smoluchowski equation we o...
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| Published in | Physical review letters Vol. 101; no. 26; p. 268101 |
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| Main Authors | , |
| Format | Journal Article |
| Language | English |
| Published |
United States
31.12.2008
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| Online Access | Get more information |
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| Summary: | Starting from a minimal physical model of self-propelled hard rods on a substrate in two dimensions, we derive a modified Smoluchowski equation for the system. Self-propulsion enhances longitudinal diffusion and modifies the mean-field excluded volume interaction. From the Smoluchowski equation we obtain hydrodynamic equations for rod concentration, polarization and nematic order parameter. New results at large scales are a lowering of the density of the isotropic-nematic transition and a strong enhancement of boundary effects in confined self-propelled systems. |
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| ISSN: | 0031-9007 1079-7114 |
| DOI: | 10.1103/physrevlett.101.268101 |