Nonvariational mechanism of front propagation: Theory and experiments

Optical feedback-induced spatiotemporal patterns with power law spectra in a liquid crystal light valve

Pattern formation can be induced by coupling electromagnetic fields to a polarizable and lossy medium. Increasing energy injection patterns can exhibit aperiodic behaviors. We investigate the self-organization of unidimensional aperiodic patterns. Based on a liquid crystal light valve (LCLV) with optical feedback, we observed aperiodic one-dimensional patterns with power laws in the temporal and spatial spectrum density of the light intensity, and their pseudo envelope and phase characteristic of spatiotemporal complexity. Theoretically, a local model describes the system close to nascent bistability and spatial instability. Numerical simulations of this model show chaotic spatiotemporal patterns whose temporal and spatial spectra have exponents similar to those observed experimentally.

Steady states and coarsening in one-dimensional driven Allen-Cahn system

We study the steady states and the coarsening dynamics in a one-dimensional driven nonconserved system modeled by the so-called driven Allen-Cahn equation, which is the standard Allen-Cahn equation with an additional driving force. In particular, we derive equations of motion for the phase boundaries in a phase ordering system obeying this equation using a nearest-neighbor interaction approach. Using the equations of motion we explore kink binary and ternary interactions and analyze how the average domain size scale with respect to time. Further, we employ numerical techniques to perform a bifurcation analysis of the one-period stationary solutions of the equation. We then investigate the linear stability of the two-period solutions and thereby identify and study various coarsening modes.

Bifurcations of front motion in passive and active Allen-Cahn-type equations

The well-known cubic Allen-Cahn (AC) equation is a simple gradient dynamics (or variational) model for a nonconserved order parameter field. After revising main literature results for the occurrence of different types of moving fronts, we employ path continuation to determine their bifurcation diagram in dependence of the external field strength or chemical potential. We then employ the same methodology to systematically analyze fronts for more involved AC-type models. In particular, we consider a cubic-quintic variational AC model and two different nonvariational generalizations. We determine and compare the bifurcation diagrams of front solutions in the four considered models.

Front propagation steered by a high-wavenumber modulation: Theory and experiments

Homogeneously driven dynamical systems exhibit multistability. Depending on the initial conditions, fronts present a rich dynamical behavior between equilibria. Qualitatively, this phenomenology is persistent under spatially modulated forcing. However, the understanding of equilibria and front dynamics organization is not fully established. Here, we investigate these phenomena in the high-wavenumber limit. Based on a model that describes the reorientation transition of a liquid crystal light valve with spatially modulated optical forcing and the homogenization method, equilibria and fronts as a function of forcing parameters are studied. The forcing induces patterns coexisting with the uniform state in regions where the system without forcing is monostable. The front dynamics is characterized theoretically and numerically. Experimental results verify these phenomena and the law describing bistability, showing quite good agreement.

Front propagation transition induced by diffraction in a liquid crystal light valve

Driven optical systems can exhibit coexistence of equilibrium states. Traveling waves or fronts between different states present complex spatiotemporal dynamics. We investigate the mechanisms that govern the front spread. Based on a liquid crystal light valve experiment with optical feedback, we show that the front propagation does not pursue a minimization of free energy. Depending on the free propagation length in the optical feedback loop, the front speed exhibits a supercritical transition. Theoretically, from first principles, we use a model that takes it into account, characterizing the speed transition from a plateau to a growing regime. The theoretical and experimental results show quite fair agreement.

Spontaneous motion of localized structures induced by parity symmetry breaking transition

We consider a paradigmatic nonvariational scalar Swift-Hohenberg equation that describes short wavenumber or large wavelength pattern forming systems. This work unveils evidence of the transition from stable stationary to moving localized structures in one spatial dimension as a result of a parity breaking instability. This behavior is attributed to the nonvariational character of the model. We show that the nature of this transition is supercritical. We characterize analytically and numerically this bifurcation scenario from which emerges asymmetric moving localized structures. A generalization for two-dimensional settings is discussed.