DRIFT OF INTERACTING ASYMMETRICAL SPIRAL WAVES

Long-term experiments on spiral interaction carried out in the framewo rk of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction have revealed the influence of the initial pattern symmetry on further pattern evolution. This symme try is characterized by the different distance from each spiral tip to the boundary where the emitted wave fronts collide. The spiral initia lly closer to the shock line is observed to rotate with a lower mean f requency and to be dominated by the other one. Besides, both spiral ti ps are observed to drift. Different relationships between tangential a nd normal drift velocities of both tips have been found depending on w hether domination is total or partial.