Observation of front bifurcations in controlled geometries: From one to two dimensions

The introduction of microstructures in the form of quasi-one-dimensional channels on a Pt(100) surface allows the detection of front bifurcations for concentration waves from adsorbed O and CO species accompanying their catalytic reaction. At the exits of these channels into larger circular domains, the fronts can be reflected depending on the width of the channels and the external parameters. These findings are reproduced within a reaction-diffusion model.