Dynamical clustering interrupts motility-induced phase separation in chiral active Brownian particles
One of the most intriguing phenomena in active matter has been the gas-liquid like motility induced phase separation (MIPS) observed in repulsive active particles. However, experimentally no particle can be a perfect sphere, and the asymmetric shape, mass distribution or catalysis coating can ind...
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Main Authors: | , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2022
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/159999 |
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Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
Language: | English |
Summary: | One of the most intriguing phenomena in active matter has been the gas-liquid
like motility induced phase separation (MIPS) observed in repulsive active
particles. However, experimentally no particle can be a perfect sphere, and the
asymmetric shape, mass distribution or catalysis coating can induce an active
torque on the particle, which makes it a chiral active particle. Here using
computer simulations and dynamic mean-field theory, we demonstrate that the
large enough torque of circle active Brownian particles (cABPs) in two
dimensions generates a dynamical clustering state interrupting the conventional
MIPS. Multiple clusters arise from the combination of the conventional MIPS
cohesion, and the circulating current caused disintegration. The non-vanishing
current in non-equilibrium steady states microscopically originates from the
motility ``relieved'' by automatic rotation, which breaks the detailed balance
at the continuum level. This suggests that no equilibrium-like phase separation
theory can be constructed for chiral active colloids even with tiny active
torque, in which no visible collective motion exists. This mechanism also sheds
light on the understanding of dynamic clusters observed in a variety of active
matter systems. |
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