Deformable self-propelled particles

A theory of self-propelled particles is developed in two dimensions assuming that the particles can be deformed from a circular shape when the propagating velocity is increased. A coupled set of equations in terms of the velocity and a tensor variable to represent the deformation is introduced to show that there is a bifurcation from a straight motion to a circular motion of a single particle. Dynamics of assembly of the particles is studied numerically where there is a global interaction such that the particles tend to cause an orientational order.Comment: 4pages, 4figure

Maxwell stress in fluid mixtures

We examine the structure of Maxwell stress in binary fluid mixtures under an external electric field and discuss its consequence. In particular, we show that, in immiscible blends, it is intimately related to the statistics of domain structure. This leads to a compact formula, which may be useful in the investigation of electro-rheological effects in such systems. The stress tensor calculated in a phase separated fluid under a steady electric field is in a good agreement with recent experiments.Comment: 5 page

Superlattice formation lifting degeneracy protected by non-symmorphic symmetry through a metal-insulator transition in RuAs

The single crystal of RuAs obtained by Bi-flux method shows obvious successive metal-insulator transitions at T_MI1~255 K and T_MI2~195$ K. The X-ray diffraction measurement reveals a formation of superlattice of 3x3x3 of the original unit cell below T_MI2, accompanied by a change of the crystal system from the orthorhombic structure to the monoclinic one. Simple dimerization of the Ru ions is nor seen in the ground state. The multiple As sites observed in nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectrum also demonstrate the formation of the superlattice in the ground state, which is clarified to be nonmagnetic. The divergence in 1/T_1 at T_MI1 shows that a symmetry lowering by the metal-insulator transition is accompanied by strong critical fluctuations of some degrees of freedom. Using the structural parameters in the insulating state, the first principle calculation reproduces successfully the reasonable size of nuclear quadrupole frequencies for the multiple As sites, ensuring the high validity of the structural parameters. The calculation also gives a remarkable suppression in the density of states (DOS) near the Fermi level, although the gap opening is insufficient. A coupled modulation of the calculated Ru d electron numbers and the crystal structure proposes a formation of charge density wave (CDW) in RuAs. Some lacking factors remain, but it shows that a lifting of degeneracy protected by the non-symmorphic symmetry through the superlattice formation is a key ingredient for the metal-insulator transition in RuAs.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figure