Controlling Domain PatternsFar from Equilibrium

A high degree of control over the structure and dynamics of domain patterns in nonequilibrium systems can be achieved by applying nonuniform external fields near parity breaking front bifurcations. An external field with a linear spatial profile stabilizes a propagating front at a fixed position or induces oscillations with a frequency that scales like the square root of the field gradient. Nonmonotonic profiles produce a variety of patterns with controllable wavelengths, domain sizes, and frequencies and phases of oscillations.