Ordering dynamics of striped patterns in vertically vibrated granular layers

We experimentally studied the process of pattern formation in granular layers. Ten layers of granular materials inside a vacuum container were placed under a vertical vibration of Asin2πft. Control parameters were the dimensionless acceleration Γ=A(2πf)2/g and vibration frequency f. When the system was quenched from a flat pattern state to a striped pattern state by instantly increasing Γ, there were more than 104 periods before a full steady striped pattern appeared. This non-equilibrium and non-steady process showed dynamic scaling behavior, where the growth exponent of the ordered domain was 0.25, which agrees with that of the Swift–Hohenberg system. Furthermore, dependency of the ordering process on Γ was studied.