Vortex dynamics in oscillatory chemical systems

Abstract

Vortex core dynamics is studied in the Brusselator both near to and far from the Hopf bifurcation line for random and pair initial conditions. Extensive simulations are carried out for a pair of counter-rotating vortices close to the Hopf bifurcation line. Provided the vortices are not so far apart that wave-front annihilation produces strong gradients between their centers, the simulation results compare favorably with theories based on the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation. Far from the Hopf line the vortex core dynamics changes character and phenomena such as periodic motion of the vortex centers arise.