Abstract
A self-propelled particle is a basic ingredient of active matter. Any handle on its noise characteristics is thus of both fundamental and applied interest. In this paper, we show that geometric constraints are a route to affect the emergent noise properties of a single active particle, thus demonstrating that seemingly different active particle classes are equivalent to each other. Specifically, we find that the chiral active Brownian motion of a self-propelled particle seen in two-dimensions switches to a run-and-tumble like motion when confined to a quasi-one-dimensional channel. Our analysis of this switching behavior connects the resulting active stochastic dynamics to that of a two-state molecular motor. The emergent tuning of active noise characteristics by unbiased external driving, as we demonstrate here, is illustrative of generic mechanisms of active noise control in other systems.
Highlights
A hallmark of self-organization in non-equilibrium systems is the generation of ordered states in a controlled manner driven by external energy input [1]
We use an experimental system comprised of a driven granular particle to show that laterally confining a chiral Active Brownian particles (ABP)-like particle in a narrow quasi-one-dimensional channel leads to the emergence of RTP-like motion, and that the characteristics of this active noise can be controlled by our empirical parameters
By confining a self-propelled granular particle to a quasione-dimensional channel, we have demonstrated emergent active noise properties, qualitatively distinct from those of the two-dimensional unconfined motion
Summary
A hallmark of self-organization in non-equilibrium systems is the generation of ordered states in a controlled manner driven by external energy input [1]. For example, individual molecular motors can utilize unbiased energy input and rectify ambient stochasticity to generate directed motion while cells themselves can control their direction of motion by responding to fluctuating external cues Such emergent order is seen in many synthetic systems: for example, (i) the generation of persistent motion of a rotational ratchet embedded in a granular gas of macroscopic glass beads that is driven by mechanical agitation [2], or (ii) directed self-propelled motion of Janus colloids with differential chemical reactions occurring on their surfaces [3,4]. We use an experimental system comprised of a driven granular particle to show that laterally confining a chiral ABP-like particle in a narrow quasi-one-dimensional channel leads to the emergence of RTP-like motion, and that the characteristics of this active noise can be controlled by our empirical parameters. Our results are a clear demonstration of confinement-induced tuning of the noise characteristics of active particles, and suggest ways to harness their dynamics
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