McGill.CA / Science / Department of Physics

CPM Seminar

Biased Diffusion of Two Species:
American Football, Barber Poles and Clouds

Prof. B. Schmittmann

Center for Stochastic Processes in Science and Engineering
and Department of Physics
Virginia Tech

A straightforward generalization of the asymmetric simple exclusion process consists of two species of particles ("charges") which are driven into opposite directions. Similar to traffic models, this simple system exhibits a phase transition between an open, "flowing" phase, characterized by a large current, and a "jammed" (ordered) phase in which the current is nearly zero. Both first and second order transitions occur, and ordered configurations of different topology appear to coexist. You will see some of the phenomena in a graphical simulation program that runs on my laptop.

I will review the current understanding of this system, both in terms of simulation and analytic results, point out some relationships to microemulsions and gel electrophoresis and discuss a range of open questions.

Tuesday, November 4th, 15:30
Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, room 114