Front propagation in hyperbolic fractional reaction-diffusion equations

From the continuous-time random walk scheme and assuming a Lévy waiting time distribution typical of subdiffusive transport processes, we study a hyperbolic reaction-diffusion equation involving time fractional derivatives. The linear speed selection of wave fronts in this equation is analyzed. When the reaction-diffusion dimensionless number and the fractional index satisfy a certain condition, we find fronts exhibiting an unphysical behavior: they travel faster in the subdiffusive than in the diffusive regime. © 2005 The American Physical Society.