Volume effect in the cyclic segregation of quasi two-dimensional binary granular mixture

A systematic study about the cyclic segregation observed experimentally in a vertically vibrated quasi two-dimensional binary granular mixture is reported. The frequency-amplitude phase diagram was obtained, in which the region of cyclic segregation was found. We also measured the period of the cyclic segregation and showed the relationship between the period and total volume of granular mixture. Finally, the competition mechanism of percolation and condensation from Hong's theory is used to explain the cyclic segregation and volume effect qualitatively.