Circular motion subject to external alignment under active driving: nonlinear dynamics and the circle map

Abstract

Hardly any real self-propelling or actively driven object is perfect. Thus, undisturbed motion will generally not follow straight lines but rather circular trajectories. We here address self-propelled or actively driven objects that move in discrete steps and additionally tempt to migrate towards a certain direction by discrete angular adjustment. Overreaction in the angular alignment is possible. This competition implies pronounced nonlinear dynamics including period doubling and chaotic behavior in a broad parameter regime. Such behavior directly affects the appearance of the trajectories, also during collective motion under spatial self-concentration.