Continuation of Galerkin approximations for reaction-diffusion problems (Q791301)

The stationary reaction-diffusion system \[ -\Delta s =\lambda(\rho a R(s)-(s_ 0-s)) \] \[ -\beta\Delta a =\lambda(\rho a R(s)\alpha(a_ 0- a)) \] with \(R(s)=s/(1+s+ks^ 2)\) is studied in a one or two dimensional bounded domain with zero flux conditions on the boundary. Using a Galerkin method bifurcation diagrams (\(\lambda\),s) are calculated for a special set of parameters \(\alpha,\beta,\rho,k,a_ 0\), and \(s_ 0\). Here the eigenfunctions of the Laplacian operator are used as basis functions. Using only a small number of eigenfunctions good agreement is achieved with results obtained by a finite difference discretization. It is found that in two space dimensions the bifurcation diagram consists of separated closed loops. Implications of this observation to morphogenesis are discussed.