Transverse coupling of chemical waves

The transverse coupling of chemical waves is investigated using a model scheme for excitable media. Chemical waves supported on the surfaces of a semipermeable membrane couple via diffusion through the membrane, resulting in new types of spatiotemporal behavior. The model studies show that spontaneous wave sources may develop from interacting planar waves, giving rise to a complex sequence of patterns accessible only by perturbation. Coupled circular waves result in the spontaneous formation of spiral waves, which subsequently develop patterns in distinct domains with characteristic features. The long time entrainment behavior of coupled spiral waves reveals regions of 1:2 phase locking.