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Geometric framework for curvature-dependent collective behavior of polar active agents on curved surfaces

Tatsuo Shibata*

  • *Contact author: tatsuo.shibata@riken.jp
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Phys. Rev. E 113, 055406 – Published 6 May, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/mxgg-9w4l

Abstract

In biological systems, active agents such as actomyosin and cells move and interact on curved surfaces, exhibiting diverse phenomena. These observations have motivated studies of how curvature shapes their collective behavior. Here, using a geometric framework, a minimal model is presented for interacting active agents on curved surfaces with Vicsek-like polar alignment. A transition between disordered and ordered states occurs on spheres as well as on oblate and prolate spheroids. As the deviation from sphericity increases, the transition point shifts to higher alignment strengths, and swarming localizes to an equatorial belt away from the poles, indicating that curvature heterogeneity influences the emergence of the polar-ordered state.

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Phys. Rev. E 113, 055406– Published 6 May, 2026
  • Received 23 November 2025
  • Accepted 9 April 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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