Chaoticon: localized pattern with permanent dynamics

An analytical mechanism that support localized spatio-temporal chaos is provided. We consider a simple model-the Nagumo Kuramoto model-which contains the crucial ingredients for observing localized spatio-temporal chaos, namely, the spatio-temporal chaotic pattern and its coexistence with a uniform state. This model allows us to unveil the front dynamics and to show that it can be described by a chaotic motor corresponding to the deterministic counterpart of a Brownian motor. Front interaction is identified as the mechanism at the origin of the localized spatio-temporal chaotic structures.