Drift- or Fluctuation-Induced Ordering and Self-Organization in Driven Many-Particle Systems

TL;DR

This paper explores how noise and drift can induce order and self-organization in driven many-particle systems, revealing an optimal noise level for pattern formation and potential applications in particle control.

Contribution

It introduces a cellular automaton model demonstrating fluctuation-driven ordering and self-organization, highlighting the role of noise in complex system behavior.

Findings

Optimal noise strength enhances order in particle systems.

High fluctuation levels disrupt order.

Noise and drift can induce self-organization in disordered systems.

Abstract

According to empirical observations, some pattern formation phenomena in driven many-particle systems are more pronounced in the presence of a certain noise level. We investigate this phenomenon of fluctuation-driven ordering with a cellular automaton model of interactive motion in space and find an optimal noise strength, while order breaks down at high(er) fluctuation levels. Additionally, we discuss the phenomenon of noise- and drift-induced self-organization in systems that would show disorder in the absence of fluctuations. In the future, related studies may have applications to the control of many-particle systems such as the efficient separation of particles. The rather general formulation of our model in the spirit of game theory may allow to shed some light on several different kinds of noise-induced ordering phenomena observed in physical, chemical, biological, and socio-economic systems (e.g., attractive and repulsive agglomeration, or segregation).