Synchronization of Oscillating Reactions in an Extended Fluid System

Abstract

We present experiments on the synchronization of a dynamical, chemical process in an extended, flowing, fluid system. The oscillatory Belousov-Zhabotinsky chemical reaction is the process studied, and the flow is an annular chain of counterrotating vortices. Azimuthal motion of the vortices is controlled externally, enabling us to vary the type of transport. We find that oscillations of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction synchronize throughout the extended fluid system only if transport in the flow is superdiffusive, with tracers in the flow undergoing rapid, distant jumps called Lévy flights.

Experimental Studies of Advection-Reaction-Diffusion Systems

“…Previous publications describe the chemistry used for the excitable 20,21 and oscillatory 22,23 BZ reaction in these experiments. A key aspect of the excitable reaction is the use of Ruthenium as a catalyzer.…”

“…In this case, each vortex and its contents act like an oscillating node of a network, and communication between these nodes is via chaotic mixing 23 If oscillatory and/or drifting time-dependence is added to the vortex chain, three types of collective behavior are observed (Figure 8). In every situation in which the transport is diffusive (e.g, for v d < v o ), aperiodic traveling waves are found, regardless of the initial conditions.…”

Experiments on pattern formation in reacting systems with chaotic advection

“…The third set of experiments [13] deals with synchronization of chemical oscillators. There has been a tremendous amount of research recently into networks of oscillators and how they synchronize.…”

“…In this article, we review some experiments that we have conducted on pattern-formation processes in advection-reaction-diffusion systems with chaotic advection. Three sets of experiments are described: (1) Pattern formation of an oscillatory chemical reaction in a flow with chaotic mixing [10]; (2) front propagation and mode-locking for an advancing chemical reaction in an oscillating vortex chain [11], [12]; and (3) synchronization of chemical oscillators in a fluid flow via superdiffusive transport [13].…”

Targeted mixing in an array of alternating vortices

“…Transport and mixing properties are thoroughly investigated and general laws are extrapolated or the origin of phenomena explained (see [26,27,28,29]). The influence of phase space topology and its understanding is clear, and can be used to explain synchronization phenomena [30]. However one is still somewhat constrained by an a priori imposed time dependence.…”