Stick-slip dynamics of an intruder pulled through granular matter*

We will discuss computational and experimental results for the setup

involving an intruder pulled through a two-dimensional system 

of photoelastic particles in angular Coquette geometry, with focus on the 

regime such that the intruder 

experiences stick-slip type of dynamics.  Significant insight regarding 

dynamics and material response can be reached by analyzing the interaction 

(force) networks, observed in both simulations and experiments via the tools

of persistent homology (PH). PH allows for precise and clear quantification 

of both static and dynamic properties of these networks, in both experiments

and simulations.  We will discuss how these networks evolve during stick-slip 

dynamics for the granular systems of disks and pentagons, with focus on the 

correlation between the dynamics of the networks and the dynamics

of the intruder.