Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Non-specular reflections in a macroscopic system with wave-particle duality: spiral waves in bounded media
Jacob Langham1, Dwight Barkley
1Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom. J.Langham@warwick.ac.uk
Abstract:
Spiral waves in excitable media possess both wave-like and particle-like properties. When resonantly forced (forced at the spiral rotation frequency) spiral cores travel along straight trajectories, but may reflect from medium boundaries. Here, numerical simulations are used to study reflections from two types of boundaries. The first is a no-flux boundary which waves cannot cross, while the second is a step change in the medium excitability which waves do cross. Both small-core and large-core spirals are investigated. The predominant feature in all cases is that the reflected angle varies very little with incident angle for large ranges of incident angles. Comparisons are made to the theory of Biktashev and Holden. Large-core spirals exhibit other phenomena such as binding to boundaries. The dynamics of multiple reflections is briefly considered.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The de Broglie Wavelength
Reflection of Waves
Propagation of Waves
Consider a scenario where a wave propagates from a string of low linear mass density to a string of high linear mass density. In such a case, the reflected wave is out of phase with respect to the incident wave, however the...
The Wave Nature of Light
Interference and Diffraction
Standing Waves in a Cavity

