Nowadays, it is well-recognized that complex dynamics systems with strong nonlinearities and stochastic fluctuations can induce unexpected and new ordered phenomena. Of particular interest are recent experimental studies of fluctuations in the catalytic CO oxidation on nanoscale surfaces [1,2]. These studies suggest a loss of bistability due to noise-induced transitions between stable states. In this talk, first I will show theoretically that fluctuations can induce transitions in those nanoscale systems. Second, using a reaction-diffusion stochastic model for CO oxidation at low enough diffusion length, I will discuss the possibility of a first-order phase transition induced by the interplay of internal fluctuations and diffusion. Finally, some perspectives and future extension will also be presented.
[1] Y Suchorski, et. al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 1907 (1999). [2] V. Johanek, et. al. Science. 304, 1639 (2004).