title: Competition of periodic and homogeneous modes in extended dynamical systems.
abstract: Despite their simple structure, spatially homogeneous modes can participate directly in pattern-formation processes. This is demonstrated by new experimental and theoretical results for thermo- and electroconvection in planar nematic liquid crystals, where two distinct homogeneous modes, twist and splay distortions of the director field, emerge. Their nonlinear excitation is due to certain spontaneous symmetry-breaking bifurcations.
authors.affiliation: Physikalisches Institut der Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dressel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joets
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pastur
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pesch
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Plaut
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ribotta