Fluctuations and Order in Randomly Evolving Environments

Abstract.  In a class of non-equilibrium systems, giant fluctuations coexist with long-range order, leading to rapid reorganization of macroscopic structures.  Such fluctuation-dominated order is studied in a model of particles driven by a fluctuating surface. The interface between ordered regions is anomalously broad, leading to a singular behavior of the correlation function. We also discuss evidence for fluctuation-dominated order in several other systems, ranging from models of proteins on cell membranes to systems of self-propelled rods.