Nonequilibrium two-phase coexistence in a confined granular layer

TitleNonequilibrium two-phase coexistence in a confined granular layer
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsPrevost, A., Melby P., Egolf D. A., and Urbach J. S.
JournalPhysical Review E
Volume70
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.

DOI10.1103/PhysRevE.70.050301