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Hydrodynamic Synchronisation of Model Microswimmers

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Abstract

We define a model microswimmer with a variable cycle time, thus allowing the possibility of phase locking driven by hydrodynamic interactions between swimmers. We find that, for extensile or contractile swimmers, phase locking does occur, with the relative phase of the two swimmers being, in general, close to 0 or π, depending on their relative position and orientation. We show that, as expected on grounds of symmetry, self T-dual swimmers, which are time-reversal covariant, do not phase-lock. We also discuss the phase behaviour of a line of tethered swimmers, or pumps. These show oscillations in their relative phases reminiscent of the metachronal waves of cilia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, Oxford University, 1 Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3NP, UK

    V. B. Putz & J. M. Yeomans

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  1. V. B. Putz
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  2. J. M. Yeomans
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Correspondence to V. B. Putz.

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Putz, V.B., Yeomans, J.M. Hydrodynamic Synchronisation of Model Microswimmers. J Stat Phys 137, 1001–1013 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10955-009-9826-x

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