Lane formation in restricted geometries

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The formation of lanes in a two-component system of particles, in which the components move in opposite directions, has been predicted theoretically for special 2d and 3d systems. Experimental proof of this phenomenon has so far been achieved on short timescales, only. Thus, the phenomenon can be regarded as a transient phenomenon and not as a real phase transition. Simulations based on density functional theory have confirmed this experimental result. Here we suggest studies of particle motion in restricted motion which represent periodic boundary conditions experimentally and theoretically. We will investigate the influence of the periodicity of the motion on the phase behaviour of the particles and expect to find stable regions of lane formation. In addition, single component systems of interacting particles will form layers, which have been investigated in resting and moving systems. Therefore, we will perform measurements and simulations of similar monolithic systems which then serve as reference systems for the behaviour of particle flow under periodic boundary conditions. The combination of simulation and experiments allows us to cover a wide range of possible scenarios and gives at the same time the possibility to check the assumptions and approximations of the simulations under real physical conditions. With these studies we intend to give understanding of a phenomenon in statistical physics, which seems to be present in a large variety of systems but is extremely difficult to identify in its pure form due to the fact that many spurious effects can hinder the occurrence of the pure form. This understanding, in turn, will provide better understanding of order phenomena in transport processes in many systems, ranging from transport in biological cells to transport of granular media in pipes