Tailoring the interactions between self-propelled bodies
Abstract
We classify the interactions between self-propelled particles moving at a constant speed from symmetry considerations. We establish a systematic expansion for the two-body forces in the spirit of a multipolar expansion. This formulation makes it possible to rationalize most of the models introduced so far within a common framework. We distinguish between three classes of physical interactions: (i) potential forces, (ii) inelastic collisions and (iii) non-reciprocal interactions involving polar or nematic alignment with an induced field. This framework provides simple design rules for the modeling and the fabrication of self-propelled bodies interacting via physical interactions. A class of possible interactions that should yield new phases of active matter is highlighted.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1404.4807,
title = {Tailoring the interactions between self-propelled bodies},
author = {Jean-Baptiste Caussin and Denis Bartolo},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1404.4807},
year = {2014}
}