Collective Motion and Phase Transitions of Symmetric Camphor Boats

TL;DR

This paper investigates how symmetric camphor boats in a narrow channel spontaneously form patterns and undergo phase transitions, revealing different collective behaviors driven by viscosity changes without stochastic fluctuations.

Contribution

It introduces a deterministic model for self-propelled boats that captures pattern formation and phase transitions, expanding understanding beyond stochastic particle systems.

Findings

Identified stationary, oscillatory, and unidirectional flow states.

Demonstrated control of patterns through viscosity variation.

Provided analysis of self-organized collective behaviors.

Abstract

The motion of several self-propelled boats in a narrow channel displays spontaneous pattern formation and kinetic phase transitions. In contrast with previous studies on self-propelled particles, this model does not require stochastic fluctuations and it is experimentally accessible. By varying the viscosity in the system, it is possible to form either a stationary state, correlated or uncorrelated oscillations, or unidirectional flow. Here, we describe and analyze these self organized patterns and their transitions.