Segregation phases in a vibrated binary granular layer

Abstract

We present the results of an experimental study of patterned segregation in a horizontally shaken shallow layer of a binary mixture of dry particles. As the compacity, $C$, of the mixture was increased, the evolution of three distinct phases was observed. We classify them as binary gas, segregation liquid and segregation crystal phases using macroscopic and microscopic measures. The binary gas to segregation liquid transition is consistent with a continuous phase transition and includes the characteristic feature of critical slowing down. At high compacities we observed an intriguing slow oscillatory state.