Periodic patterns displace active phase separation

Abstract In this work we identify and investigate a novel bifurcation in conserved systems. This secondary stops active phase separation its nonlinear regime. It is then either replaced by an extended, system-filling, spatially periodic pattern or, complementary parameter region, hybrid state with alternating homogeneous states. The transition from to extended patterns hysteretic. We show that the resulting are multistable, as they stability beyond for different wavenumbers belonging wavenumber band. states continuous. Both scenarios systems-spanning phenomena particle conserving They predicted generic dissipative model introduced work. Candidates specific systems, which these transitions likely occur, are, example, generalized models motility-induced Brownian particles, cell division or chemotactic systems dynamics.