Spiral Wave Formation in Three-Dimensional Excitable Media

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Abstract
A mechanism for the generation of spiral waves in three-dimensional excitable media is described. Experiments using the photosensitive Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction show that circular or spiral waves appear in the wake of a propagating wave following a local perturbation in illumination intensity. The induced waves arise from three-dimensional scroll waves striking the upper boundary of the excitable medium. Spiral waves are formed over a range of illumination intensities and perturbation times which place the induced wave in the vulnerable region of the refractory wave back.