Work

A Mexican hat dance: Clustering in spatially non-exclusive particle systems

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The dynamics and spontaneous organization of coupled particles is a classic problem in modeling and applied mathematics. Here, we examine the behavior of particles coupled by a Mexican hat type potential-one exhibiting finite local repulsion transitioning to distal attraction, leading to an energy-minimizing "preferred distance." When confined by a background potential well, these particles exhibit intricate self-organization into "stacks" with varying sizes and positions. We examine bifurcations of these high-dimensional arrangements, yielding tantalizing glimpses into a rich dynamical zoo of behavior.

Source: Chaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science

DOI: 10.1063/5.0271815

Authors: D. Sabin-Miller, D. M. Abrams

Institutions: University of Michigan, Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation

Subfield: Computer Networks and Communications

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Award: G292149420