Drift instability in the motion of a fluid droplet with a chemically reactive surface driven by Marangoni flow

We theoretically derive the amplitude equations for a self-propelled droplet driven by Marangoni flow. As advective flow driven by surface tension gradient is enhanced, the stationary state becomes unstable and the droplet starts to move. The velocity of the droplet is determined from a cubic nonlinear term in the amplitude equations. The obtained critical point and the characteristic velocity are well supported by numerical simulations.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

QCD Correction to Neutralino Annihilation Process and Dark Matter Density in Supersymmetric Models

We calculate QCD correction to the neutralino annihilation cross section into quark anti-quark final state and discuss its implications to the calculation of neutralino relic density. We see that the QCD correction enhances the pair-annihilation cross section by O(10 %) when final-state quarks are non-relativistic. Consequently, when the lightest neutralinos dominantly annihilate into a t\bar{t} pair, the relic density of the lightest neutralino is significantly affected by the QCD correction, in particular when the lightest-neutralino mass is close to the top-quark mass.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Final-State Interactions in e^+e^- -> t\bar{t} -> b l^+ \nu \bar{b} W^- Near Top Quark Threshold

We calculate final-state interaction corrections to the energy-angular distribution of l^+ in semi-leptonic top quark decay, where the parent top quark is produced via e^+e^- -> t\bar{t} near threshold. These are the corrections due to gluon exchange between t and \bar{b} (\bar{t} and b) and between b and \bar{b}. Combining with previously known other corrections, we explicitly write down the l^+ energy-angular distribution including the full O(alpha_s)=O(beta) corrections near t\bar{t} threshold. Numerical analyses of the final-state interaction corrections are given. We find that they deform the l^+ distribution typically at the 10% level. We also find that all qualitative features of the numerical results can be understood from intuitive pictures. The mechanisms of various effects of the final-state interactions are elucidated. Finally we define an observable which is proper to the decay process of the top quark (dependent only on d\Gamma_{t -> b l^+ \nu}/ dE_l d\Omega_l of a free polarized top quark) near t\bar{t} threshold. Such a quantity will be useful in extracting the decay property of the top quark using the highly polarized top quark samples.Comment: Section 6 is enlarged substantially and a paragraph is added to Section 8 correspondingly. Reference list is also improved. (27 pages including figures, LaTeX

Collective Motion of Self-Propelled Particles with Memory

International audienceWe show that memory, in the form of underdamped angular dynamics, is a crucial ingredient for the collective properties of self-propelled particles. Using Vicsek-style models with an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process acting on angular velocity, we uncover a rich variety of collective phases not observed in usual overdamped systems, including vortex lattices and active foams. In a model with strictly nematic interactions the smectic arrangement of Vicsek waves giving rise to global polar order is observed. We also provide a calculation of the effective interaction between vortices in the case where a telegraphic noise process is at play, explaining thus the emergence and structure of the vortex lattices observed here and in motility assay experiments

Self Running Droplet: Emergence of Regular Motion from Nonequilibrium Noise

Spontaneous motion of an oil droplet driven by chemical nonequilibricity is reported. It is shown that the droplet undergoes regular rhythmic motion under appropriately designed boundary conditions, whereas it exhibits random motion in an isotropic environment. This study is a novel manifestation on the direct energy transformation of chemical energy into regular spatial-motion under isothermal conditions. A simple mathematical equation including noise reproduces the essential feature of the transition from irregularity into periodic regular motion. Our results will inspire the theoretical study on the mechanism of molecular motors in living matter, working under significant influence of thermal fluctuation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure