Noise-sustained coherent oscillation of excitable media in a chaotic flow

Constructive effects of noise in spatially extended systems have been well studied in static reaction-diffusion media. We study a noisy two-dimensional Fitz Hugh–Nagumo excitable model under the stirring of a chaotic flow. We find a regime where a noisy excitation can induce a coherent global excitation of the medium and a noise-sustained oscillation. Outside this regime, noisy excitation is either diluted into homogeneous background by strong stirring or develops into noncoherent patterns at weak stirring. These results explain some experimental findings of stirring effects in chemical reactions and are relevant for understanding the effects of natural variability in oceanic plankton bloom.