Manipulation of diffusion coefficients via periodic vertical forcing controls the mechanism of Turing pattern formation

Abstract

We study, theoretically and experimentally, the dynamical response of macroscopic Turing patterns to a mechanical periodic forcing which implies a sinusoidal modulation of gravity. Theoretical predictions indicate that the extra energy, due to the forcing, modifies the diffusion coefficient at a microscopic level, producing changes in the Turing domain and in the pattern characteristics, in particular its wavelength. To check the theoretical analysis, we perform numerical simulations with standard models. Experiments were also performed in the closed Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction confined in AOT microemulsion (BZ-AOT system).Experiments as well as numerical and theoretical results show good agreement.