Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

External Excitation of Neurons Using Electric and Magnetic Fields in One- and Two-dimensional Cultures
Published on: May 7, 2017
Formation of fast spirals on heterogeneities of an excitable medium
G B Makkes van der Deijl1, A V Panfilov
1Department of Theoretical Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
We study the process of formation of spiral waves in a heterogeneous excitable medium under external stimulation, using numerical and analytical methods. We show that in an excitable medium with several heterogeneities with respect to refractory period, fast rotating spiral waves can be generated. These fast spirals are formed as a result of a phenomenon of period decrease, which is the generation by a heterogeneity of waves with a period shorter than the period of the external stimulation.
Related Concept Videos
Magnetic Field Due To A Thin Straight Wire
Divergence and Curl of Electric Field
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Divergence and Curl of Magnetic Field
Magnetic Field Due to Two Straight Wires
Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...

