https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2012-01529-y
Review
Active Brownian Particles
From Individual to Collective Stochastic Dynamics
1 Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
2 Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Abbestr. 2-12, 10587 Berlin, Germany
3 Institute of Physics, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
a e-mail: prom@pks.mpg.de
Received:
3
November
2011
Revised:
17
January
2012
Published online:
30
March
2012
We review theoretical models of individual motility as well as collective dynamics and pattern formation of active particles. We focus on simple models of active dynamics with a particular emphasis on nonlinear and stochastic dynamics of such self-propelled entities in the framework of statistical mechanics. Examples of such active units in complex physico-chemical and biological systems are chemically powered nano-rods, localized patterns in reaction-diffusion system, motile cells or macroscopic animals. Based on the description of individual motion of point-like active particles by stochastic differential equations, we discuss different velocity-dependent friction functions, the impact of various types of fluctuations and calculate characteristic observables such as stationary velocity distributions or diffusion coefficients. Finally, we consider not only the free and confined individual active dynamics but also different types of interaction between active particles. The resulting collective dynamical behavior of large assemblies and aggregates of active units is discussed and an overview over some recent results on spatiotemporal pattern formation in such systems is given.
© EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag, 2012
