Condensed Matter Theory

Abstract:

Point-like topological defects are singular configurations that manifest in and out of various equilibrium systems with two-dimensional orientational order. Because they are associated with a nonzero circuitation condition, the presence of defects induces a long-range perturbation of the orientation landscape around them. The effective dynamics of defects is thus generally described in terms of quasi-particles interacting via the orientation field they produce, whose evolution in the simplest setting is governed by the diffusion equation. Because of the multivalued nature of the orientation field, its expression for a defect moving with an arbitrary trajectory cannot be determined straightforwardly and is often evaluated in the quasi-static approximation. Here, we instead derive the exact expression for the orientation created by multiple moving defects, which we find to depend on their past trajectories and thus to be nonlocal in time. Performing various expansions in relevant regimes, we demonstrate how improved approximations with respect to the quasi-static defect solution can be obtained. Moreover, our results lead to so far unnoticed structures in the orientation field of moving defects, which we discuss in light of existing experimental results

Abstract:

We theoretically and computationally study the low-Reynolds-number hydrodynamics of a linear active microswimmer surfing on a compressible thin fluid layer characterized by an odd viscosity. Since the underlying three-dimensional fluid is assumed to be very thin compared to any lateral size of the fluid layer, the model is effectively two-dimensional. In the limit of small odd viscosity compared to the even viscosities of the fluid layer, we obtain analytical expressions for the self-induced flow field, which includes non-reciprocal components due to the odd viscosity. On this basis, we fully analyze the behavior of a single linear swimmer, finding that it follows a circular path, the radius of which is, to leading order, inversely proportional to the magnitude of the odd viscosity. In addition, we show that a pair of swimmers exhibits a wealth of two-body dynamics that depends on the initial relative orientation angles as well as on the propulsion mechanism adopted by each swimmer. In particular, the pusher-pusher and pusher-puller-type swimmer pairs exhibit a generic spiral motion, while the puller-puller pair is found to either co-rotate in the steady state along a circular trajectory or exhibit a more complex chaotic behavior resulting from the interplay between hydrodynamic and steric interactions. Our theoretical predictions may pave the way toward a better understanding of active transport in active chiral fluids with odd viscosity, and may find potential applications in the quantitative microrheological characterization of odd-viscous fluids.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figure

Abstract:

Kinetic traps are a notorious problem in equilibrium statistical mechanics, where temperature quenches ultimately fail to bring the system to low energy configurations. Using multifarious self-assembly as a model system, we introduce a mechanism to escape kinetic traps by utilizing non-reciprocal interactions between components. Introducing non-equilibrium effects offered by broken action-reaction symmetry in the system, we can push the trajectory of the system out of arrested dynamics. The dynamics of the model is studied using tools from the physics of interfaces and defects. Our proposal can find applications in self-assembly, glassy systems and systems with arrested dynamics

Abstract:

The hydrodynamic theory of active nematics has been often used to describe the spatio-temporal dynamics of cell flows and motile topological defects within soft confluent tissues. Those theories, however, often rely on the assumption that tissues consist of cells with a fixed, anisotropic shape and do not resolve dynamical cell shape changes due to flow gradients. In this paper we extend the continuum theory of active nematics to include cell shape deformability. We find that circular cells in tissues must generate sufficient active stress to overcome an elastic barrier to deforming their shape in order to drive tissue-scale flows. Above this threshold the systems enter a dynamical steady-state with regions of elongated cells and strong flows coexisting with quiescent regions of isotropic cells.