Influence of particle softness on active glassy dynamics

Active matter studies are increasingly geared towards the high-density or glassy limit. This is mainly inspired by remarkable resemblance between active materials and conventional passive matter. Interestingly, within this limit it has recently been shown that relaxation dynamics of quasi-hard spheres non-monotonic most enhanced activity when intrinsic length scale (e.g., persistence length) equal to cage length, i.e. local particle caging. optimal enhancement effect claimed result from efficient scanning cages. Here we demonstrate its physical explanation fully retained for softer spheres. We perform extensive simulations athermal Brownian particles (ABPs) show change remains qualitatively similar varying softness. explain quantitative differences relating them longer range interaction potential, which decreases obscures motion. Moreover, observe only surpasses distinct qualitative changes with respect an equivalent system start manifest themselves. Overall, our results further strengthen importance relation relevant in context materials.