Collective dynamics of active matter with orientation-weighted alignment

Abstract: We study an agent-based model of self-propelled particles with a velocity-dependent alignment rule. This interaction is orientation weighted and acts along the line connecting neighboring particles. Tuning the alignment strength produces several distinct collective regimes, including disordered gas-like motion, coherent flocking, jammed high-density states, and densely ordered moving clusters with active-crystal-like behavior. These results show that a simple local alignment rule can generate a broad range of nonequilibrium collective dynamics within a single microscopic model.