Collective dynamics of active matter with orientation-weighted alignment

TL;DR

This paper investigates an agent-based model of self-propelled particles with orientation-weighted alignment, revealing diverse collective behaviors such as flocking, jamming, and active-crystal states driven by local interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a velocity-dependent, orientation-weighted alignment rule that captures multiple collective regimes within a unified microscopic framework.

Findings

Tuning alignment strength induces various collective states.

The model reproduces disordered, flocking, jammed, and active-crystal-like behaviors.

A simple local rule can generate complex nonequilibrium dynamics.

Abstract

We study an agent-based model of self-propelled particles with a velocity-dependent alignment rule. This interaction is orientation weighted and acts along the line connecting neighboring particles. Tuning the alignment strength produces several distinct collective regimes, including disordered gas-like motion, coherent flocking, jammed high-density states, and densely ordered moving clusters with active-crystal-like behavior. These results show that a simple local alignment rule can generate a broad range of nonequilibrium collective dynamics within a single microscopic model.