Universality Classes for Force Networks in Jammed Matter

TL;DR

This paper investigates the geometric properties of force networks in jammed granular systems, revealing scale invariance and universality classes through a fractal analysis approach.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method focusing on the fractal geometry of force networks to identify universality classes in jammed matter.

Findings

Evidence of scale invariance in force networks

Identification of universality classes via critical exponents

Method applicable to other athermal jammed systems

Abstract

We study the geometry of forces in some simple models for granular stackings. The information contained in geometry is complementary to that in the distribution of forces in a single inter-particle contact, which is more widely studied. We present a method which focuses on the fractal nature of the force network and find good evidence of scale invariance. The method enables us to distinguish universality classes characterized by critical exponents. Our approach can be applied to force networks in other athermal jammed systems.