Abstract

Pattern selection and the underlying stabilizing mechanisms are central issues in the field of pattern formation in dissipative systems. In general the analysis of pattern formation yields stability criteria that do not depend on the details of the system under consideration [1] Typically, patterns are described by a combination of Fourier modes with the same critical spatial frequency q_c and the pattern selection process solely depends on the coupling between these fundamental modes. This wave vector coupling can be mediated by higher harmonics, which are the vectorial sum of the fundamental modes.

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