Explicit periodic travelling waves for a discrete lambda–omega reaction–diffusion system

Abstract

In 1973, Kopell and Howard introduced a λ–ω reaction–diffusion system and found an explicit family of periodic travelling wave solutions lying on circles with radius less than 1. Since λ–ω systems represent universal models for studying chemical processes, and onset of turbulent behaviour, etc., explicit solutions of λ–ω systems with delays or discrete λ–ω systems can be of further help when the only method for obtaining other solutions is through numerical computation. There are now much investigations of various λ–ω systems. However, it is of interest to note that none attempts to find explicit travelling wave solutions. In this paper, we investigate the existence of explicit solutions for the simplest Euler scheme of a λ–ω system with delays or advancements which is described as a coupled pair of partial difference equations. We are able to provide necessary as well as sufficient conditions for the existence of numerical periodic travelling wave solutions. Additionally, we also provide some examples to show that our explicit solutions are qualitatively different from those found by Kopell and Howard and hence they may be of interests for specialists in the area of reaction–diffusion systems.