We present results for pattern formation and related dynamics in the two-dimensional complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. Both single and multispiral morphologies have been considered. For the former, Hagan's solution has been tested. In case of the multispiral morphology, at a late time, depending upon certain parameter values, the dynamics is found to be frozen. However, upon introduction of disorder in these parameters the frozen dynamics is observed to be unlocked. This latter result is counterintuitive considering our current knowledge of dynamics in disorder systems. We also present results for the role of shocks (the regions where Hagan's solution is violated) in the multispiral dynamics. It is observed that the suppression of the order-parameter amplitude, in this region, to the value allowed by Hagan's single-spiral solution, also unlocks the dynamical freezing. In this case, both the pattern and dynamics are observed to be very similar to the the dynamical $XY$ model.

• Received 3 September 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.87.012135