Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
06:42
Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
Stabilization of multiarmed spiral waves by circularly polarized electric fields
Ling-Yun Deng1, Hong Zhang, You-Quan Li
1Zhejiang Institute of Modern Physics and Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Summary
Circularly polarized electric fields (CPEFs) can stabilize multiarmed spiral waves. Applying a specific counter-rotating CPEF increases the spiral
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear dynamics
- Complex systems physics
- Wave phenomena
Background:
- Multiarmed spiral waves are prevalent in various complex systems.
- Their stability is crucial for understanding phenomena like chemical reactions and biological pattern formation.
- The average period is a key parameter determining spiral wave stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of circularly polarized electric fields (CPEFs) on multiarmed spiral wave stability.
- To determine if CPEFs can be used to control the period and enhance the stability of these waves.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations were employed to model multiarmed spiral waves.
- The influence of externally applied counter-rotating CPEFs with varying amplitudes and periods was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Circularly polarized electric fields were shown to alter the period of multiarmed spirals.
- A counter-rotating CPEF with appropriate parameters was found to increase the average period.
- This increase in average period led to enhanced stability of the multiarmed spiral waves.
Conclusions:
- Circularly polarized electric fields offer a viable method for controlling the stability of multiarmed spiral waves.
- The application of tailored CPEFs can be used to sustain stable spiral wave patterns.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Standing Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves can be reflected; the surface of a conductor or a dielectric can act as a reflector. As electric and magnetic fields obey the superposition principle, so do electromagnetic waves. The superposition of an incident wave and a reflected electromagnetic wave produces a standing wave analogous to the standing waves created on a stretched string.
Suppose a sheet of a perfect conductor is placed in the yz-plane, and a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave traveling in the...
Suppose a sheet of a perfect conductor is placed in the yz-plane, and a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave traveling in the...
01:17Standing Waves
Sometimes waves do not seem to move; rather, they just vibrate in place. Unmoving waves can be seen on the surface of a glass of milk kept in a refrigerator, which is one example of standing waves. Vibrations from the refrigerator motor create waves on the milk that oscillate up and down but do not seem to move across the surface. These waves are formed or created by the superposition of two or more identical moving waves in opposite directions. The waves move through each other, with their...
01:29Potential Due to a Polarized Object
A neutral atom consists of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a negatively charged electron cloud. When placed in an external electric field, the external electric force pulls the electrons and nucleus apart, opposite to the intrinsic attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. The opposing forces balance each other with a slight shift between the center of masses of the nucleus and the electron cloud, resulting in a polarized atom. On the other hand, a few molecules, like water,...
01:26Divergence and Curl of Magnetic Field
The magnetic field due to a volume current distribution given by the Biot–Savart Law can be expressed as follows:
01:28Induced Electric Dipoles
A permanent electric dipole orients itself along an external electric field. This rotation can be quantified by defining the potential energy because the external torque does work in rotating it. Then, the potential energy is minimum at the parallel configuration and maximum at the antiparallel configuration. While the former is a stable equilibrium, the latter is an unstable equilibrium.
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
01:04Oscillations about an Equilibrium Position
Stability is an important concept in oscillation. If an equilibrium point is stable, a slight disturbance of an object that is initially at the stable equilibrium point will cause the object to oscillate around that point. For an unstable equilibrium point, if the object is disturbed slightly, it will not return to the equilibrium point. There are three conditions for equilibrium points—stable, unstable, and half-stable. A half-stable equilibrium point is also unstable, but is named so because...