We find a noise-induced transition to bistability in a Monte Carlo simulation of a model heterogeneous catalytic chemical reaction which is deterministically monostable. Analysis of the probability density function and the correlation integral of time series of this model indicates the existence and central role of noise in this transition. We find that the behavior of this system is a consequence of the interaction of noise with the spatial degrees of freedom on the model catalytic surface.

• Received 14 February 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.63.1527