Active nematics are intrinsically phase separated

Mishra, Shradha ; Ramaswamy, Sriram (2006) Active nematics are intrinsically phase separated Physical Review Letters, 97 (9). 090602_1-090602_4. ISSN 0031-9007

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Official URL: http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v97/i9/e090602

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.090602

Abstract

Two-dimensional nonequilibrium nematic steady states, as found in agitated granular-rod monolayers or films of orientable amoeboid cells, were predicted [Europhys. Lett. 62 (2003) 196] to have giant number fluctuations, with standard deviation proportional to the mean. We show numerically that the steady state of such systems is macroscopically phase separated, yet dominated by fluctuations, as in the Das-Barma model [PRL 85 (2000) 1602]. We suggest experimental tests of our findings in granular and living-cell systems.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to The American Physical Society.
ID Code:39887
Deposited On:19 May 2011 08:46
Last Modified:17 May 2016 22:10

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