Internal Spatiotemporal Stochastic Resonance in a Microscopic Surface Reaction Model

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates internal stochastic resonance in a microscopic surface reaction model, showing how intrinsic noise from elementary reaction steps can synchronize oscillations and pattern formation without external stimuli.

Contribution

It reveals that internal stochastic resonance can emerge from elementary reaction steps, providing a new perspective on internal regulation mechanisms in surface reactions.

Findings

Stochastic resonance occurs without external input

Oscillation phenomena and pattern formation observed

Internal noise induces synchronization

Abstract

We show the existence of internal stochastic resonance in a microscopic stochastic model for the oscillating CO oxidation on single crystal surfaces. This stochastic resonance arises directly from the elementary reaction steps of the system without any external input. The lattice gas model is investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. It shows oscillation phenomena and mesoscopic pattern formation. Stochastic resonance arises once homogeneous nucleation in the individual surface phases (reconstructed and non-reconstructed) is added. This nucleation is modelled as a noise process. As a result, synchronization of the kinetic oscillations is obtained. Internal stochastic resonance may thus be an internal regulation mechanism of extreme adaptability.