Inelastic hard-rods in a periodic potential

TL;DR

This paper investigates the steady states and clustering behavior of inelastic hard-rod systems in a one-dimensional periodic potential, highlighting how external potential gradients influence density, temperature, and pressure distributions.

Contribution

It introduces a simple model combining inelastic collisions with an external periodic potential and analyzes the resulting non-uniform steady states and clustering dynamics.

Findings

Spatial non-uniformity affects density, temperature, and pressure distributions.

External potential gradients induce significant variations compared to elastic systems.

Clustering dynamics depend on initial conditions and external potential parameters.

Abstract

A simple model of inelastic hard-rods subject to a one-dimensional array of identical wells is introduced. The energy loss due to inelastic collisions is balanced by the work supplied by an external stochastic heat-bath. We explore the effect of the spatial non uniformity on the steady states of the system. The spatial variations of the density, granular temperature and pressure induced by the gradient of the external potential are investigated and compared with the analogous variations in an elastic system. Finally, we study the clustering process by considering the relaxation of the system starting from a uniform homogeneous state.