Entire Solutions for Bistable Lattice Differential Equations with Obstacles

Abstract: We consider scalar lattice differential equations posed on square lattices in two space dimensions. Under certain natural conditions we show that wave-like solutions exist when obstacles (characterized by "holes") are present in the lattice. Our work generalizes to the discrete spatial setting the results obtained in a paper of Berestycki, Hamel and Matano for the propagation of waves around obstacles in continuous spatial domains. The analysis hinges upon the development of sub and super-solutions for a class of discrete bistable reaction-diffusion problems and on a generalization of a classical result due to Aronson and Weinberger that concerns the spreading of localized disturbances.