Phase behaviors and dynamics of active particle systems in double-well potential

TL;DR

This paper studies how active particles with self-propulsion and reorientation behave in a double-well potential, revealing flocking, clustering, and diffusion behaviors influenced by potential asymmetry and activity levels.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed phase diagram of active particle behaviors in double-well potentials, highlighting the impact of active reorientation on aggregation and diffusion.

Findings

Active reorientation enhances particle aggregation on one side of the potential.

Flocking and clustering occur depending on active reorientation and potential asymmetry.

Distinct diffusion regimes are identified through mean squared displacement analysis.

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the behaviors and dynamics of self-propelled particles with active reorientation (AR) in a double-well potential. We explore the competition between AR and external potentials, revealing that self-propelled particles exhibit flocking and clustering behaviors in an asymmetric potential trap. Through molecular dynamics simulations, we obtain a phase diagram that illustrates flocking behavior as a function of active reorientation and potential asymmetry. We compare the responses of inactive and active particles to the potential, finding that active reorientation significantly increases aggregation on one side of the asymmetric potential well. Additionally, by calculating the mean squared displacement and scaling exponent, we identify distinct diffusion regimes. Our findings demonstrate that active particles with active reorientation are more sensitive to variations in double-well potentials.