Properties of nano-islands formation in nonequilibrium reaction-diffusion systems with memory effects

TL;DR

This paper investigates how memory effects in reaction-diffusion systems influence pattern formation, revealing that finite propagation speed causes oscillations in nano-island sizes and that stabilization requires nonequilibrium chemical reactions.

Contribution

It introduces a reaction-Cattaneo model with memory effects, demonstrating their role in pattern selection and oscillatory behavior in nano-island formation.

Findings

Memory effects induce pattern selection in reaction-diffusion systems.

Finite propagation speed causes oscillations in nano-island radii.

Nonequilibrium chemical reactions are necessary for pattern stabilization.

Abstract

We study dynamics of pattern formation in systems belonging to class of reaction-Cattaneo models including persistent diffusion (memory effects of the diffusion flux). It was shown that due to the memory effects pattern seletion process are realized. We have found that oscillatory behavior of the radius of the adsorbate islands is governed by finite propagation speed. It is shown that stabilization of nano-patterns in such models is possible only by nonequilibrium chemical reactions. Oscillatory dynamics of pattern formation is studied in details by numerical simulations.