The Phase Synchronized State of Oriented Active Fluids

Abstract: We present a theory for self-driven fluids, such as motorized cytoskeletal extracts or bacterial suspensions, that takes into account the underlying periodic duty cycle carried by the active particles of which the system is composed. We show that the fluid can enter a state in which the constituent elements synchronize their phases. This spontaneous breaking of time-translation invariance gives rise to flow instabilities distinct from those arising in phase-incoherent active matter.