Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Generating Controlled, Dynamic Chemical Landscapes to Study Microbial Behavior
Published on: January 31, 2020
The generation of diverse traveling pulses and its solution scheme in an excitable slow-fast dynamics
Arnab Mondal1, Argha Mondal2, M A Aziz-Alaoui3
1Department of Mathematics and Computing, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad 826004, India.
Abstract:
In this article, we report on the generation and propagation of traveling pulses in a homogeneous network of diffusively coupled, excitable, slow-fast dynamical neurons. The spatially extended system is modeled using the nearest neighbor coupling theory, in which the diffusion part measures the spatial distribution of coupling topology. We derive analytically the conditions for traveling wave profiles that allow the construction of the shape of traveling nerve impulses. The analytical and numerical results are used to explore the nature of propagating pulses. The symmetric or asymmetric nature of traveling pulses is characterized, and the wave velocity is derived as a function of system parameters. Moreover, we present our results for an extended excitable medium by considering a slow-fast biophysical model with a homogeneous, diffusive coupling that can exhibit various traveling pulses. The appearance of series of pulses is an interesting phenomenon from biophysical and dynamical perspective. Varying the perturbation and coupling parameters, we observe the propagation of activities with various amplitude modulations and transition phases of different wave profiles that affect the speed of pulses in certain parameter regimes. We observe different types of traveling pulses, such as envelope solitons and multi-bump solutions, and show how system parameters and coupling play a major role in the formation of different traveling pulses. Finally, we obtain the conditions for stable and unstable plane waves.
Related Concept Videos
NMR Spectrometers: Radiofrequency Pulses and Pulse Sequences
Propagation of Action Potentials
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
Travelling Waves
Water waves, sound waves, and seismic waves are some examples of mechanical waves. For water waves, the wave propagation medium is...
Traveling Waves: Lossless Lines

