Active transport and cluster formation on 2D networks

TL;DR

This paper presents a model for active transport on 2D inhomogeneous networks, revealing scale-free clustering behavior and comparing it with other aggregation models, highlighting the conditions for finite or infinite cluster sizes.

Contribution

It introduces a new model for active transport on inhomogeneous networks and analyzes cluster formation, contrasting it with existing models like diffusion limited aggregation.

Findings

Cluster sizes follow an algebraic decay, indicating scale-free behavior.

Clusters have finite size scales under certain conditions.

Comparison shows different aggregation behaviors depending on model parameters.

Abstract

We introduce a model for active transport on inhomogeneous networks embedded in a diffusive environment and investigate the formation of particle clusters. In the presence of a hard-core interaction, cluster sizes exhibit an algebraically decaying distribution in a large parameter regime, indicating the existence of clusters on all scales. The results are compared with a diffusion limited aggregation model and active transport on a regular network. For both models we observe aggregation of particles to clusters which are characterized by a finite size-scale if the relevant time-scales and particle densities are considered.