Hyperuniformity and phase enrichment in vortex and rotor assemblies

Rotor-like dynamics is observed in many natural systems, from the rotor proteins in cellular membranes to atmospheric models. Here, the authors uncover geometrical conservation laws that limit distribution of driven rotors in a membrane or a soap film and allow to predict their structural states. Ensembles of particles rotating in a two-dimensional fluid can exhibit chaotic dynamics yet develop signatures of hidden order. Such rotors are found in the natural world spanning vastly disparate length scales - from the rotor proteins in cellular membranes to models of atmospheric dynamics. Here we show that an initially random distribution of either driven rotors in a viscous membrane, or ideal vortices with minute perturbations, spontaneously self assemble into a distinct arrangement. Despite arising from drastically different physics, these systems share a Hamiltonian structure that sets geometrical conservation laws resulting in prominent structural states. We find that the rotationally invariant interactions isotropically suppress long-wavelength fluctuations - a hallmark of a disordered hyperuniform material. With increasing area fraction, the system orders into a hexagonal lattice. In mixtures of two co-rotating populations, the stronger population will gain order from the other and both will become phase enriched. Finally, we show that classical 2D point vortex systems arise as exact limits of the experimentally accessible microscopic membrane rotors, yielding a new system through which to study topological defects.

Automated summary

This study reveals geometrical conservation laws that limit distribution of driven rotors in a membrane or a soap film and allow to predict their structural states. Experimental results show that ensembles of particles rotating in a two-dimensional fluid exhibit chaotic dynamics yet develop signatures of hidden order.