Hydrodynamics of Turning Flocks

Xingbo Yang, M. Cristina Marchetti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a hydrodynamic model of flocking that generalizes the familiar Toner-Tu equations to incorporate turning inertia of well-polarized flocks. The continuum equations controlled by only two dimensionless parameters, orientational inertia and alignment strength, are derived by coarse-graining the inertial spin model recently proposed by Cavagna et al. The interplay between orientational inertia and bend elasticity of the flock yields anisotropic spin waves that mediate the propagation of turning information throughout the flock. The coupling between spin-current density to the local vorticity field through a nonlinear friction gives rise to a hydrodynamic mode with angular-dependent propagation speed at long wavelengths. This mode becomes unstable as a result of the growth of bend and splay deformations augmented by the spin wave, signaling the transition to complex spatiotemporal patterns of continuously turning and swirling flocks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number258101
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume115
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 17 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hydrodynamics of Turning Flocks'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this