Issue |
EPL
Volume 110, Number 1, April 2015
|
|
---|---|---|
Article Number | 10004 | |
Number of page(s) | 6 | |
Section | General | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/110/10004 | |
Published online | 20 April 2015 |
Lane formation in a system of dipolar microswimmers
Institute of Theoretical Physics, Secr. EW 7-1, Technical University Berlin - Hardenbergstrasse 36, D-10623 Berlin, Germany
Received: 10 February 2015
Accepted: 26 March 2015
Using Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations we investigate the non-equilibrium structure formation of a two-dimensional (2D) binary system of dipolar colloids propelling in opposite directions. Despite a pronounced tendency for chain formation, the system displays a transition towards a laned state reminiscent of lane formation in systems with isotropic repulsive interactions. However, the anisotropic dipolar interactions induce novel features: First, the lanes have themselves a complex internal structure characterized by chains or clusters. Second, laning occurs only in a window of interaction strengths. We interpret our findings by a phase separation process and simple force balance arguments.
PACS: 05.65.+b – Self-organized systems / 64.75.Xc – Phase separation and segregation in colloidal systems
© EPLA, 2015
Current usage metrics show cumulative count of Article Views (full-text article views including HTML views, PDF and ePub downloads, according to the available data) and Abstracts Views on Vision4Press platform.
Data correspond to usage on the plateform after 2015. The current usage metrics is available 48-96 hours after online publication and is updated daily on week days.
Initial download of the metrics may take a while.