We report experimental results depicting suppression of complex spatiotemporal dynamics under the influence of local periodic stimulations. In an experimental electrochemical system, applying a continuous forcing signal to one of the sites in an array of eight coupled oscillators, the naturally complex behavior of the remaining seven electrodes can be converted to periodic responses. The oscillations remain periodic as long as the forcing is active and revert back to exhibiting chaotic dynamics after the control is switched off. These results can also be interpreted as experimental realization of “phase-synchronization” induced via local driving in an extended system. A possible relevance to the experimentally observed calcium wave patterns is pointed out.

• Received 16 May 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.65.035202