Driven front propagation in 1D spatially periodic media

We study front propagation in one-dimensional spatially periodic media. Based on an optical feedback with a spatially amplitude modulated beam, we set up a one-dimensional forced experiment in a nematic liquid crystal cell. By changing the forcing parameters, the front exhibits a pinning effect and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 103; no. 12; p. 128003
Main Authors Haudin, F, Elías, R G, Rojas, R G, Bortolozzo, U, Clerc, M G, Residori, S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 18.09.2009
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Summary:We study front propagation in one-dimensional spatially periodic media. Based on an optical feedback with a spatially amplitude modulated beam, we set up a one-dimensional forced experiment in a nematic liquid crystal cell. By changing the forcing parameters, the front exhibits a pinning effect and oscillatory motion, which are confirmed by numerical simulations for the average liquid crystal tilt angle. A spatially forced dissipative varphi;{4} model, derived at the onset of bistability, accounts qualitatively for the observed dynamics.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.128003