Universal algebraic relaxation of velocity and phase in pulled fronts generating periodic or chaotic states
We investigate the asymptotic relaxation of so-called pulled fronts propagating into an unstable state, and generalize the universal algebraic velocity relaxation of uniformly translating fronts to fronts that generate periodic or even chaotic states. A surprising feature is that such fronts also exhibit a universal algebraic phase relaxation. For fronts that generate a periodic state, like those in the Swift-Hohenberg equation or in a Rayleigh-Benard experiment, this implies an algebraically slow relaxation of the pattern wavelength just behind the front, which should be experimentally testable.
Storm
C
Instituut-Lorentz, Universiteit Leiden, Postbus 9506, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
Spruijt
W
Ebert
U
van Saarloos W