title: Excitable optical waves in semiconductor microcavities.
abstract: We demonstrate experimentally and theoretically the existence of excitable optical waves in semiconductor microcavities. Although similar to those observed in biological and chemical systems, these excitable optical waves are self-confined. This is due to a new dynamical scenario, where a stationary Turning pattern controls the propagation of waves in an excitable medium, thus bringing together the two paradigms of dynamical behavior (waves and patterns) in active media.
authors.affiliation: Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, CSIC-UIB, E-07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balle
mesh_terms: D008962:Models, Theoretical; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D012666:Semiconductors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology