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Attraction-induced cluster fragmentation and local alignment in active particle systems

Sota Shimamura1,*, Nen Saito2, and Shuji Ishihara1,3,†

  • 1Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
  • 2Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
  • 3Research Center for Complex Systems Biology, Universal Biology Institute, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan

  • *Contact author: sota.shimamura.research@gmail.com
  • †Contact author: csishihara@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Phys. Rev. E 114, 035414 – Published 14 September, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/gqf6-nbl4

Abstract

We numerically studied active Brownian particles with attractive interactions. Contrary to our intuition, the attractive force between particles disrupts the formation of a single cluster observed in motility-induced phase separation, giving rise to a multicluster state. This transition is driven by a decrease in effective motility caused by the persistent cohesion between particles. We also found that the self-propulsion directions spontaneously align within each cluster in the multicluster state, despite the absence of explicit alignment interactions. This study revealed the intricate role of attractive interactions in the aggregation of motile systems.

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Phys. Rev. E 114, 035414– Published 14 September, 2026
  • Received 16 May 2025
  • Accepted 30 July 2026
Article part of CHORUS
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