Spontaneous velocity alignment of Brownian particles with feedback-induced propulsion

TL;DR

This study uses Brownian dynamics simulations to reveal that colloidal particles with feedback-induced propulsion spontaneously align their velocities over large scales, despite purely isotropic interactions, due to steric effects and time delay.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel spontaneous velocity alignment phenomenon in colloidal systems driven by feedback propulsion, distinct from traditional active matter models.

Findings

Large-scale velocity alignment occurs without clustering.

Time delay and steric interactions drive velocity persistence.

Behavior shows similarities and differences to active matter models.

Abstract

Based on Brownian dynamics simulations we study the collective behavior of a twodimensional system of repulsively interacting colloidal particles, where each particle is propelled by a repulsive feedback force with time delay $\tau$. Although the pair interactions are purely isotropic we observe a spontaneous, large-scale alignment of the velocity vectors. This phenomenon persists for long times and occurs in the absence of steady-state clustering. We explain our observations by a combination of the effect of steric interactions yielding local velocity ordering, and the effect of time delay, that generates cluster dissolution, velocity persistence and velocity alignment over large distances. Overall, the behavior reveals intriguing similarities, but also differences, to that observed in models of active matter, such as active Brownian particles and the Vicsek model.