title: Deformation of a self-propelled domain in an excitable reaction-diffusion system.
abstract: We formulate a theory for a self-propelled domain in an excitable reaction-diffusion system in two dimensions where the domain deforms from a circular shape when the propagation velocity is increased. In the singular limit where the width of the domain boundary is infinitesimally thin, we derive a set of equations of motion for the center of gravity and two fundamental deformation modes. The deformed shapes of a steadily propagating domain are obtained. The set of time-evolution equations exhibits a bifurcation from a straight motion to a circular motion by changing the system parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohkuma
authors.forename: Kyohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shitara
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods*; D004058:Diffusion; D009038:Motion; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013997:Time Factors