Abstract
Neicu et al. observed experimentally spontaneous formation of the long-range orientational order and large-scale vortices in a system of vibrated macroscopic rods. We propose a phenomenological theory of this phenomenon based on a coupled system of equations for local rods density and tilt. The density evolution is described by the modified Cahn-Hilliard equation, while the tilt is described by the Ginzburg-Landau type equation. Our analysis shows that, in accordance with the Cahn-Hilliard dynamics, islands of the ordered phase appear spontaneously and grow due to coarsening. The generic vortex solutions of the Ginzburg-Landau equation for the tilt correspond to the vortical motion of the rods around the cores which are located near the centers of the islands.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Journal | Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics |
Volume | 67 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2003 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Statistics and Probability
- Condensed Matter Physics