Chladni patterns explained by the space-dependent diffusion of bouncing grains

Although Chladni patterns are widely used to visualize the modes of vibration of an elastic plate, the mechanism by which the grains form the pattern is still debated. In this Letter, we suggest that the pattern results from space-dependent diffusion: grains gather where their diffusivity is low. We...

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Main Authors: Anaïs Abramian, Suzie Protière, Arnaud Lazarus, Olivier Devauchelle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-07-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L032001
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author Anaïs Abramian
Suzie Protière
Arnaud Lazarus
Olivier Devauchelle
author_facet Anaïs Abramian
Suzie Protière
Arnaud Lazarus
Olivier Devauchelle
author_sort Anaïs Abramian
collection DOAJ
description Although Chladni patterns are widely used to visualize the modes of vibration of an elastic plate, the mechanism by which the grains form the pattern is still debated. In this Letter, we suggest that the pattern results from space-dependent diffusion: grains gather where their diffusivity is low. We test this hypothesis in experiments, wherein we generate Chladni patterns on a vibrating membrane. We measure the diffusivity of the grains as a function of the vibration amplitude and propose an expression of the diffusive flux based on our measurements. We find a steady-state distribution of the grains in agreement with observations. These findings could inspire new methods to manipulate and segregate particles.
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spelling doaj-art-d71d973292914ab29d68a94dcd4ca4cb2025-08-20T02:38:06ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642025-07-0173L03200110.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L032001Chladni patterns explained by the space-dependent diffusion of bouncing grainsAnaïs AbramianSuzie ProtièreArnaud LazarusOlivier DevauchelleAlthough Chladni patterns are widely used to visualize the modes of vibration of an elastic plate, the mechanism by which the grains form the pattern is still debated. In this Letter, we suggest that the pattern results from space-dependent diffusion: grains gather where their diffusivity is low. We test this hypothesis in experiments, wherein we generate Chladni patterns on a vibrating membrane. We measure the diffusivity of the grains as a function of the vibration amplitude and propose an expression of the diffusive flux based on our measurements. We find a steady-state distribution of the grains in agreement with observations. These findings could inspire new methods to manipulate and segregate particles.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L032001
spellingShingle Anaïs Abramian
Suzie Protière
Arnaud Lazarus
Olivier Devauchelle
Chladni patterns explained by the space-dependent diffusion of bouncing grains
Physical Review Research
title Chladni patterns explained by the space-dependent diffusion of bouncing grains
title_full Chladni patterns explained by the space-dependent diffusion of bouncing grains
title_fullStr Chladni patterns explained by the space-dependent diffusion of bouncing grains
title_full_unstemmed Chladni patterns explained by the space-dependent diffusion of bouncing grains
title_short Chladni patterns explained by the space-dependent diffusion of bouncing grains
title_sort chladni patterns explained by the space dependent diffusion of bouncing grains
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L032001
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