Velocity correlations in an active nematic.
The flow properties of a continuum model for an active nematic are studied and compared with recent experiments on suspensions of microtubule bundles and molecular motors. The velocity correlation length is found to be independent of the strength of the activity while the characteristic velocity scale increases monotonically as the activity is increased, both in agreement with the experimental observations. We interpret our results in terms of the creation and annihilation dynamics of a gas of topological defects.
The Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, 1 Keble Road, Oxford OX1 3NP, United Kingdom.
Sumesh P
SP
Thampi
Ramin
R
Golestanian
Julia M
JM
Yeomans
D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D013535:Suspensions / Q000737:chemistry; D013816:Thermodynamics
D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D013535:Suspensions