title: Lattice dynamics and melting of a nonequilibrium pattern.
abstract: We present a new description of nonequilibrium square patterns as a harmonically coupled crystal lattice. In a vertically oscillating granular layer, different transverse normal modes of the granular square-lattice pattern are observed for different driving frequencies (f(d)) and accelerations. The amplitude of a mode can be further excited by either frequency modulation of f(d) or reduction of friction between the grains and the plate. When the mode amplitude becomes large, the lattice melts (disorders), in accord with the Lindemann criterion for melting in two dimensions.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nonlinear Dynamics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA. goldman@chaos.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Daniel I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Shattuck
authors.forename: Sung Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: Harry L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Swinney