Metastability of Discrete-Symmetry Flocks
Brieuc Benvegnen, Omer Granek, Sunghan Ro, Ran Yaacoby, Hugues Chaté, Yariv Kafri, David Mukamel, Alexandre Solon, Julien Tailleur
Abstract
We study the stability of the ordered phase of flocking models with a scalar order parameter. Using both the active Ising model and a hydrodynamic description, we show that droplets of particles moving in the direction opposite to that of the ordered phase nucleate and grow. We characterize analytically this self-similar growth and demonstrate that droplets spread ballistically in all directions. Our results imply that, in the thermodynamic limit, discrete-symmetry flocks-and, by extension, continuous-symmetry flocks with rotational anisotropy-are metastable in all dimensions.
Topics & Concepts
Flocking (texture)MetastabilityFlockNucleationSymmetry (geometry)Condensed matter physicsDiscrete symmetryPhysicsMaterials scienceGeometryMathematicsQuantum mechanicsGeologyThermodynamicsPaleontologyHomogeneous spaceMicro and Nano RoboticsDiffusion and Search DynamicsPickering emulsions and particle stabilization