Complexity of Hydrodynamic Phenomena Induced by Spiral Waves in the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction

Hidetoshi Miike¹* and Tatsunari Sakurai²

¹Department of Perceptual Sciences and Design Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Tokiwadai 2-16-1, Ube 755-8611, Japan
²Department of Electrical Engineering, Ube National College of Technology, Tokiwadai 2-14-1, Ube 755-8555, Japan
*E-mail address: miike@kde.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp

(Received August 18, 2003; Accepted November 17, 2003)

Keywords: Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction, Reaction-Diffusion-Convection System, Marangoni Effect

Abstract. We review a series of experimental investigations on the oscillatory hydrodynamic flow appearing in a thin solution layer of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction under excitation of spiral waves. There have been many investigations to clarify the mechanism of the flow. Starting from a historical sketch, we introduce the latest findings, those closely relate to the mechanism of the oscillatory flow. In discussion and remarks, we summarize curious characteristics of the oscillatory flow and discuss the mechanisms establishing the flow to draw out a picture for the better understanding of the phenomena. Utilizing the hydrodynamic flow induced by the chemical spiral waves themselves, the chemical waves seem to maintain their original reaction-diffusion structure in the batch reactor. This can be regarded as a function of the system.