Mixing-induced global modes in open active flow

Abstract

We describe how a convectively unstable active field in an open flow configuration becomes absolutely unstable due to local mixing. A representation of the mixing region as those with locally enhanced effective diffusion allows us to find the linear transition point to unstable global mode analytically. We derive the critical exponent characterizing weakly nonlinear regimes beyond instability and compare it with numerical simulations of a full two-dimensional flow problem.

new version with some minor changes, added journal reference and DOI information; 4 pages, 4 figures, published in Physical Review Letters

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• Front propagation into unstable states
• Non-Hermitian Localization and Population Biology
• Pattern of Reaction Diffusion Front in Laminar Flows
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