Negative Index Refraction in the Complex Ginzburg–Landau Equation in Connection with the Experimental CIMA Reaction

In comparison with the phenomenon of negative index refraction observed in artificial meta-materials, it is interesting to ask if this type of behavior also exists or not in reaction-diffusion systems that support nonlinear chemical waves. Previous studies indicate that the negative index refraction could occur on a interface between a medium of a normal wave and a medium that supports anti-waves. Here we investigate the phenomenon in the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation (CGLE) in a close relationship with the quantitative model for the chlorite-iodide-malonic acid (CIMA) reaction. The amplitude equation CGLE is deduced from the CIMA reaction, and simulations with mapped parameters from the reaction-diffusion equation reveal that the competition between normal waves and anti-waves on the interface determines whether the negative index refraction occurs or not.