Thermodynamic equilibrium systems are characterized by spatial and tempo ral regularity. Instead, non-equilibrium systems often lead in nature to the spo- ntaneous breaking of symmetries given rise to defects, such us patterns, dislocations and declinations, spiral waves, particle-type solutions (localized structures) and so forth. In the last decade experimental evidence of particles-type solutions in dissipative systems far from equilibrium has been reported in different physical system (see figures). The wide range of qualitatively different localized structures cannot be understood with a single mechanism.

This current project proposes to study experimentally and theoretically the appearance mechanisms, interactions and complex behaviors exhibitef by these solutions.

People involved:

Marcel G Clerc (University of Chile)
Orazio Descalzi (Universidad de los Andes, Chile)
Nicolás Mujica (University of Chile)
Stefania Residori (Institut non lineaire de Nice)
Enrique Tirapegui (University of Chile)