The evolution of excitation wave fronts in a spatially modulated light-sensitive Belousov-Zhabotinsky system is investigated experimentally and theoretically. The excitation wave propagates in a thin, quasi-two-dimensional reaction layer, which is illuminated through a periodical gray level mask. The light-induced differences in excitability and velocity give rise to a temporal and spatial modulation of the initially flat fronts. The experimental front evolution is described in the framework of a kinematical theory as developed earlier for nonuniformly curved systems.

• Received 21 February 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.66.036207