Dynamics of Chemical Excitation Waves Subjected to Subthreshold Electric Field in a Mathematical Model of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction

We present a numerical study of the dynamics of spiral waves in a weak external electric field, using the Oregonator model of the Belousov-Zhabotinky (BZ) reaction. Both free and pinned spiral waves are studied in two types of electric fields: unidirectional (DC) and Circularly Polarised Electric Field (CPEF). Both free spirals and pinned spiral waves rotate faster in the DC field. The CPEF can help a free spiral to be spatially confined. A pinned spiral period can be controlled by varying the period of the CPEF. Both DC and CPEF can unpin the pinned spiral wave, but the minimum electric field required to unpin is much less with CPEF compared to DC. Thus, CPEF is more energy efficient to unpin a pinned spiral wave.