title: Electric-field-controlled unpinning of scroll waves.
abstract: Three-dimensional excitation vortices exist in systems such as chemical reactions and the human heart. Their one-dimensional rotation backbone can pin to unexcitable heterogeneities, which greatly affect the structure, dynamics, and lifetime of the vortex. In experiments with the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, we demonstrate vortex unpinning from a pair of inert and impermeable spheres using externally applied electric fields. Unpinning occurs abruptly but is preceded by a slow reorientation and deformation of the initially circular vortex loop. Our experimental findings are reproduced by numerical simulations of an excitable reaction-diffusion-advection model.
authors: Florida State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, USA.
authors: Zulma A
authors: ZA
authors: Jiménez
authors: Florida State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, USA.
authors: Zhihui
authors: Z
authors: Zhang
authors: Florida State University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4390, USA.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Steinbock