Directing individual motions of many constituents to a coherent dynamical state is a fundamental challenge in multiple fields. Here, based on the spherical crystal model, we show that topological defects in particle arrays can be a crucial element in regulating collective dynamics. Specifically, we highlight the defect-driven synchronized breathing modes around disclinations and collective oscillations with strong connection to disruption of crystalline order. This work opens the promising possibility of an organizational principle based on topological defects, and may inspire new strategies for harnessing intriguing collective dynamics in extensive nonequilibrium systems.

• Received 6 March 2019
• Revised 13 April 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.228002