Minimal speed of fronts of reaction-convection-diffusion equations

We study the minimal speed of propagating fronts of convection-reaction-diffusion equations of the form u(t)+microphi(u)u(x)=u(xx)+f(u) for positive reaction terms with f(')(0)>0. The function phi(u) is continuous and vanishes at u=0. A variational principle for the minimal speed of the wave...

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Published in:Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics, 2004-03, Vol.69 (3 Pt 1), p.031106-031106, Article 031106
Main Authors: Benguria, R D, Depassier, M C, Méndez, V
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We study the minimal speed of propagating fronts of convection-reaction-diffusion equations of the form u(t)+microphi(u)u(x)=u(xx)+f(u) for positive reaction terms with f(')(0)>0. The function phi(u) is continuous and vanishes at u=0. A variational principle for the minimal speed of the waves is constructed from which upper and lower bounds are obtained. This permits the a priori assessment of the effect of the convective term on the minimal speed of the traveling fronts. If the convective term is not strong enough, it produces no effect on the minimal speed of the fronts. We show that if f(")(u)/sqrt[f(')(0)]+microphi(')(u)
ISSN:1539-3755
1550-2376
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.69.031106