Open AccessNonequilibrium statistical mechanics of swarms of driven particles
Author(s) -
Ebeling Werner,
Erdmann Udo
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
complexity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.447
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1099-0526
pISSN - 1076-2787
DOI - 10.1002/cplx.10090
Subject(s) - brownian motion , physics , dissipative system , statistical mechanics , classical mechanics , statistical physics , non equilibrium thermodynamics , active matter , attractor , quantum mechanics , mathematics , mathematical analysis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract As a rough model for the collective motions of cells and organisms we develop here the statistical mechanics of swarms of self‐propelled particles. Our approach is closely related to the recently developed theory of active Brownian motion and the theory of canonical‐dissipative systems. Free motion and motion of a swarms confined in an external field is studied. Briefly, the case of particles confined on a ring and interacting by repulsive forces is studied. In more detail we investigate self‐confinement by Morse‐type attracting forces. We begin with pairs N = 2; the attractors and distribution functions are discussed, then the case N > 2 is discussed. Simulations for several dynamical modes of swarms of active Brownian particles interacting by Morse forces are presented. In particular we study rotations, drift, fluctuations of shape, and cluster formation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.