We study the phenomenon of spatial coherence resonance in a two-dimensional model of excitable media with FitzHugh-Nagumo local dynamics. In particular, we show that there exists an optimal level of additive noise for which an inherent spatial scale of the excitable media is best pronounced. We argue that the observed phenomenon occurs due to the existence of a noise robust excursion time that is characteristic for the local dynamics whereby the diffusion constant, representing the rate of diffusive spread, determines the actual resonant spatial frequency. Additionally, biological implications of presented results in the field of neuroscience are outlined.

• Received 21 February 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.72.016207