Shape-specific fluctuations of an active colloidal interface
Abstract
Motivated by a recently synthesizable class of active interfaces formed by linked self--propelled colloids, we investigate the dynamics and fluctuations of a phoretically (chemically) interacting active interface with roto--translational coupling. We enumerate all steady--state shapes of the interface across parameter space and identify a regime where the interface acquires a finite curvature, leading to a characteristic ''C--shaped'' topology, along with persistent self--propulsion. In this phase, the interface height fluctuations obey Family--Vicsek scaling but with novel exponents: a dynamic exponent , a roughness exponent and a super--ballistic growth exponent . In contrast, the orientational fluctuations of the colloidal monomers exhibit a negative roughness exponent, reflecting a surprising smoothness law, where steady--state fluctuations diminish with increasing system size. Together, these findings point towards a unique non--equilibrium universality class associated with self--propelled interfaces of non--standard shape.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2509.08567,
title = {Shape-specific fluctuations of an active colloidal interface},
author = {Arvin Subramaniam and Tirthankar Banerjee and Rajesh Singh},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.08567},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
30 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables