Polymorphic and regular localized activity structures in a two-dimensional two-component reaction–diffusion lattice with complex threshold excitation

Space–time dynamics of the system modeling collective behaviour of electrically coupled nonlinear units is investigated. The dynamics of a local cell is described by the FitzHugh–Nagumo system with complex threshold excitation. It is shown that such a system supports formation of two distinct kinds of stable two-dimensional spatially localized moving structures without any external stabilizing actions. These are regular and polymorphic structures. The regular structures preserve their shape and velocity under propagation while the shape and velocity as well as other integral characteristics of polymorphic structures show rather complex temporal behaviour. Both kinds of structures represent novel sorts of spatially temporal patterns which have not been observed before in typical two-component reaction–diffusion type systems. It is demonstrated that there exist two types of regular structures: single and bound states and three types of polymorphic structures: periodic, quasiperiodic and even chaotic ones. The partition of the parameter plane into regions corresponding to the existence of these different types of structures is carried out. High multistability of regular structures is indicated. The interaction of regular structures is investigated. The correspondence between the structures and trajectories in multidimensional phase space associated with the system is given. Bifurcation mechanisms leading to the loss of stability of regular structures as well as to a transition from one type of polymorphic structure to another are indicated. The mechanisms of formation of regular and polymorphic structures are discussed.