Enhanced diffusion and ordering of self-propelled rods
arXiv:0806.4559 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.268101
Abstract
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.
4 pages, 2 figures
References in corpus (6)
- Novel type of phase transition in a system of self-driven particles
- Swarming and swirling in self-propelled polar granular rods
- Hydrodynamics of self-propelled hard rods
- Pattern formation of microtubules and motors: inelastic interaction of polar rods
- Self-propelled particles with fluctuating speed and direction of motion
- Hydrodynamics of isotropic and liquid crystalline active polymer solutions