Dynamics of vibrated granular matter
by Ingale, Rohit Ajit, Ph.D., CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, 2008, 141 pages; 3310589

Abstract:

We present novel experimental investigation of solid-fluid phase transition in a non-equilibrium system; a vertically vibrated quasi-2D granular fluid under isobaric and isochoric conditions. Under constant pressure (isobaric) conditions, a steady state transitions occur between a gas like phase and a crystalline phase as a function of the driving acceleration. The phase transition is first-order, characterized by a discontinuous change in both density and temperature. It shows rate dependent hysteresis. For constant volume (isochoric) conditions, we investigate the structural changes in the crystallization of a uniformly heated quasi-2D granular fluid, as a function of filling fraction. Our experimental results for quantitative characterization of the structural and topological changes at the particle level are nearly identical to those found in simulations of equilibrium hard disks. This direct mapping suggests that the study of equilibrium systems can be effectively applied to study homogeneous non-equilibrium steady states like those found in our driven and dissipative granular system. We further investigate the application and relevance of geometrical mechanisms for explaining solid-fluid phase transition in the isochoric geometry. We also measure the steady state velocity distribution for the uniformly heated case and quantify the deviations from the equilibrium Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. In general, the results of our experimental study provide a much deeper understanding of the specifics of phase transition in granular fluids.

 
AdviserMark D. Shattuck
SchoolCITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
SourceDAI/B 69-05, p. , Sep 2008
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsCondensed matter physics
Publication Number3310589
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