Discontinuous switching of position of two coexisting phases. (27th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krüger, Samuel; Weber, Christoph A; Sommer, Jens-Uwe; Jülicher, Frank
• Is Part Of: New journal of physics. Volume 20:Number 7(2018:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2018-07-27
• Subjects: equilibrium phase transition -- liquid phase separation with external field -- concentration gradients -- positioning -- ternary mixture with external field; Physics -- Periodicals; Physics; Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/aad173
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-2630

Abstract

Abstract: Liquid–liquid phase separation leads to the formation of condensed phases that coexist with a fluid. Here we investigate how the positions of a condensed phase can be controlled by using concentration gradients of a regulator that influences phase separation. We consider a mean field model of a ternary mixture where a concentration gradient of a regulator is imposed by an external potential. A novel first order phase transition occurs at which the position of the condensed phase switches in a discontinuous manner. This mechanism could have implications for the spatial organisation of biological cells and provides a control mechanism for droplets in microfluidic systems.