Ordering Periodic Spatial Structures by Noise

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that noise can enhance spatial order in bistable systems, creating periodic patterns from randomness, revealing a constructive role of noise in non-equilibrium spatial structures.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of noise-induced ordering in spatially extended systems, a novel phenomenon akin to stochastic resonance but in space.

Findings

Noise increases spatial order in bistable systems.

Periodic patterns emerge from noise in non-equilibrium conditions.

The phenomenon is analogous to stochastic resonance in space.

Abstract

We have analyzed the interplay between noise and periodic spatial modulations in bistable systems outside equilibrium and found that noise is able to increase the spatial order of the system, giving rise to periodic patterns which otherwise look random. This new phenomenon, which may be viewed as the spatial counterpart of stochastic resonance, then shows a constructive role of noise in spatially extended systems, not considered up to now.