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We theoretically address minimal search strategies of active, self-propelled particles towards hidden targets in three-dimensional space. The particles can sense if a target is close, e.g., by detecting signaling molecules released by a target, but they cannot deduce any directional cues. We focus on composite search strategies, where particles switch between extensive outer search and intensive inner search; inner search is started when the proximity of a target is detected and ends again when a certain inner search time has elapsed. In the simplest strategy, active particles move ballistically during outer search, and transiently reduce their directional persistence during inner search. In a second, adaptive strategy, particles exploit a dynamic scattering effect by reducing directional persistence only outside a well-defined target zone. These two search strategies require only minimal information processing capabilities and a single binary or tertiary internal state, respectively, yet increases the rate of target encounter substantially. The optimal inner search time scales as a power-law with exponent -2/3 with target density, reflecting a trade-off between exploration and exploitation. |
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