SIMPLE OPTICAL FEEDBACK LOOP - EXCITATION WAVES AND THEIR MIRROR-IMAGE

The influence of feedback mechanisms on the spiral wave dynamics is an alyzed both experimentally and numerically. The image of a spiral wave is projected (by means of mirrors) on the photosensitive Belousov-Zha botinsky reaction in such a way that the spiral wave is forced to inte ract with its image. Larger reflected light intensity means partial in hibition of the reaction and causes a spiral drift away from its ever- accompanying mirror image. From the point of view of optics, this is a very simple feedback loop, and may open a wide area of research, in v iew of the possibilities of varying geometry and introducing inhomogen eities.