SKM 2023 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 46: Active Matter IV (joint session DY/BP/CPP)

CPP 46.3: Talk

Thursday, March 30, 2023, 10:15–10:30, ZEU 160

Symmetry-breaking refractive index profiles as a propulsion mechanism for active Brownian particles — •Julian Jeggle¹, Matthias Rüschenbaum², Cornelia Denz², and Raphael Wittkowski¹ — ¹Institut für Theoretische Physik, Center for Soft Nanoscience, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany — ²Institut für Angewandte Physik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany

Active Brownian particles (ABPs) have been realized with various propulsion mechanisms such as self-diffusiophoresis, self-electrophoresis or acoustic scattering. Typically, these mechanisms induce flow fields around the particles that represent a deviation from the “pure” ABP model. Here, we present a novel implementation of ABPs in the form of transparent microswimmers with a symmetry-breaking refractive index gradient. Utilizing the momentum transfer associated with light refraction as the driving force induces no flow fields beyond Stokes flow. Unlike optothermally driven particles, this archetype of ABPs also allows for sensitivity to the phase and polarization of the driving light field thus improving the spatio-temporal control of light-based propulsion mechanisms. Using non-light-absorbing particles enables bulk volume systems and allows the introduction of feedback loops, therefore making this approach a promising foundation for adaptive matter systems.
*Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) – Project-ID 433682494 - SFB 1459