# Giant Kovacs-Like Memory Effect for Active Particles

## TL;DR

This paper investigates memory effects in active matter systems, revealing a giant Kovacs-like memory effect in a Vicsek-like gas of self-propelled particles, supported by kinetic theory and simulations.

## Contribution

It introduces a nonlinear theory explaining the giant Kovacs-like memory effect in active particles, extending understanding beyond linear predictions.

## Key findings

- Discovery of a giant Kovacs-like memory effect in active matter.
- Development of a nonlinear theory to explain the effect.
- Application of the theory to driven granular gases and spin glasses.

## Abstract

Dynamical properties of a Vicsek-like gas of self-propelled particles are investigated by means of kinetic theory and agent based simulations. While memory effects have been observed in disordered systems, we show that they also occur in active matter systems. In particular, we find that the system exhibits a giant Kovacs-like memory effect that is much larger than predicted by a generic linear theory. Based on a separation of time scales we develop a nonlinear theory to explain this effect. We apply this theory to driven granular gases and propose further applications to spin glasses.