title: Velocity distributions and density fluctuations in a granular gas.
abstract: Velocity distributions in a vibrated granular monolayer are investigated experimentally. Non-Gaussian velocity distributions are observed at low vibration amplitudes but cross over smoothly to Gaussian distributions as the amplitude is increased. Cross-correlations between fluctuations in density and temperature are present only when the velocity distributions are strongly non-Gaussian. Confining the expansion of the granular layer results in non-Gaussian velocity distributions that persist to high vibration amplitudes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, USA. olafsen@physics.georogetown.edu
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Olafsen
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Urbach