Pattern formation by interacting chemical fronts

Kyoung J. Lee, W. D. McCormick, Qi Ouyang, Harry L. Swinney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

335 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Experiments on a bistable chemical reaction in a continuously fed thin gel layer reveal a new type of spatiotemporal pattern, one in which fronts propagate at a constant speed until they reach a critical separation (typically 0.4 millimeter) and stop. The resulting asymptotic state is a highly irregular stationary pattern that contrasts with the regular patterns such as hexagons, squares, and stripes that have been observed in many nonequilibrium systems. The observed patterns are initiated by a finite amplitude perturbation rather than through spontaneous symmetry breaking.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)192-194
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume261
Issue number5118
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1993
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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