Deformation of a self-propelled domain in an excitable reaction-diffusion system

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2009 Nov;80(5 Pt 2):056203. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.80.056203. Epub 2009 Nov 9.

Abstract

We formulate a theory for a self-propelled domain in an excitable reaction-diffusion system in two dimensions where the domain deforms from a circular shape when the propagation velocity is increased. In the singular limit where the width of the domain boundary is infinitesimally thin, we derive a set of equations of motion for the center of gravity and two fundamental deformation modes. The deformed shapes of a steadily propagating domain are obtained. The set of time-evolution equations exhibits a bifurcation from a straight motion to a circular motion by changing the system parameters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Biophysics / methods*
  • Diffusion
  • Motion
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Time Factors