Electric-field-induced drift and deformation of spiral waves in an excitable medium

Abstract

The dynamic behavior of spiral-shaped excitation patterns in the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction was investigated under the influence of externally applied direct current. Spiral centers drift towards the anode. The chirality of the spirals determines the direction of an additional perpendicular drift. A deformation of the Archimedian spiral shape was observed. Both effects were studied quantitatively and were reproduced in simulations with a simple reaction-diffusion model.