Title: Frequency locking of reaction-diffusion patterns
Speaker: Anna Lin
Speaker Info: Duke University
Brief Description:
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Abstract:
The resonant response of a single nonlinear oscillator to periodic forcing is well understood, yet little is known about frequency locking in spatially-extended oscillatory systems such as arrays of Josephson junctions or the heart. In these systems the important functions and dynamics often occur far from equilibrium, where they can exhibit spatio-temporal patterns. We use an experimental and a numerical reaction-diffusion system driven far from equilibrium to study the effects of frequency locking on pattern formation. I will introduce a quantitative description of resonant patterns which allows us to identify transitions between pattern states as the forcing strength is varied. The resonant patterns observed in the experiments show qualitative agreement with our numerical model and with an analysis of an amplitude equation, suggesting that they are general features of frequency locking in oscillatory continua.Date: Friday, May 10, 2002