Oscillatory and chaotic pattern dynamics driven by surface curvature

Patterns on curved surfaces are ubiquitous, yet the influence of surface geometry on pattern dynamics remains elusive. We recently reported a mechanism of pattern propagation in which a static pattern on a flat plane becomes a propagating pattern on a curved surface [Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 224101 (2022)0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.128.224101]. Here, we address whether surface curvature can drive more complex pattern dynamics beyond propagation. By employing a combination of weakly nonlinear analysis and numerical simulation, we theoretically determine the condition for the emergence of pattern dynamics on curved surfaces and show that oscillatory and chaotic pattern dynamics can emerge by controlling the surface shapes. These findings highlight a role of surface topography in pattern formation and dynamics.