Nonequilibrium two-phase coexistence in a confined granular layer
| Title | Nonequilibrium two-phase coexistence in a confined granular layer |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2004 |
| Authors | Prevost, A., Melby P., Egolf D. A., and Urbach J. S. |
| Journal | Physical Review E |
| Volume | 70 |
| Abstract | We report the observation of the homogenous nucleation of crystals in a dense layer of steel spheres confined between two horizontal plates vibrated vertically. Above a critical vibration amplitude, two-layer crystals with square symmetry were found to coexist in steady state with a surrounding granular liquid. By analogy to equilibrium hard-sphere systems, the phase behavior may be explained through entropy maximization. However, dramatic nonequilibrium effects are present, including a significant difference in the granular temperatures of the two phases. |
| DOI | 10.1103/PhysRevE.70.050301 |