Microscopic Origins of the Swim Pressure and the Anomalous Surface Tension of Active Matter

TL;DR

This paper clarifies that the swim pressure in active matter is not a true pressure but an effective measure related to boundary forces, explaining anomalous surface tension phenomena.

Contribution

It reveals the microscopic origin of swim pressure and introduces a framework to distinguish it from true pressure, resolving previous paradoxes in active matter physics.

Findings

Swim pressure is not a true thermodynamic pressure.

Boundary effects generate a net active force density.

A more physically consistent surface tension is derived.

Abstract

The unique pressure exerted by active particles -- the "swim" pressure -- has proven to be a useful quantity in explaining many of the seemingly confounding behaviors of active particles. However, its use has also resulted in some puzzling findings including an \textit{extremely negative} surface tension between phase separated active particles. Here, we demonstrate that this contradiction stems from the fact that the swim pressure \textit{is not a true pressure}. At a boundary or interface, the reduction in particle swimming generates a net active force density -- an entirely \textit{self-generated body force}. The pressure at the boundary, which was previously identified as the swim pressure, is in fact an elevated (relative to the bulk) value of the \textit{traditional particle pressure} that is generated by this interfacial force density. Recognizing this unique mechanism for stress generation allows us to define a much more physically plausible surface tension. We clarify the utility of the swim pressure as an "equivalent pressure" (analogous to those defined from electrostatic and gravitational body forces) and the conditions in which this concept can be appropriately applied.