Topographic Control of Order in Quasi-2D Granular Phase Transitions

Downs, J. G.; Smith, N. D.; Mandadapu, K. K.; Garrahan, J. P.; Smith, M. I.

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the nature of 2D phase transitions in a quasi-2D granular fluid. Using a surface decorated with periodically spaced dimples we observe interfacial tension between coexisting granular liquid and crystal phases. Measurements of the orientational and translational order parameters and associated susceptibilities indicate that the surface topography alters the order of the phase transition from a two-step continuous one to a first-order liquid-solid one. The interplay of boundary inelasticity and geometry, either order promoting or inhibiting, controls whether it is the granular crystal or the granular fluid which makes contact with the edge. This order induced wetting has important consequences, determining how coexisting phases separate spatially.

Citation

Downs, J. G., Smith, N. D., Mandadapu, K. K., Garrahan, J. P., & Smith, M. I. (2021). Topographic Control of Order in Quasi-2D Granular Phase Transitions. Physical Review Letters, 127(26), Article 268002. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.268002

• Journal Article Type: Letter
• Acceptance Date: Oct 21, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Dec 21, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 24, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 13, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 13, 2022
• Journal: Physical Review Letters
• Print ISSN: 0031-9007
• Electronic ISSN: 1079-7114
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 127
• Issue: 26
• Article Number: 268002
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.268002
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6672540
• Publisher URL: https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.268002