 Solution

For a nonzero separated solution $u=X(x)T(t)$ of the reaction-diffusion equation, substitution and division by $XT$ givesThe two sides depend on different variables, so both equal a separation constant. The homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions select a negative spatial constant, written $-k^2$:For $k>0$, $X=A\sin kx+B\cos kx$. The boundary value at zero makes $B=0$; the boundary value at $L$ then requires $kL=n\pi$, with $n=1,2,\dots$. A zero spatial constant gives only a linear function vanishing at both endpoints, hence the zero function; a positive spatial constant similarly gives no nonzero admissible hyperbolic solution. ThereforeBy superposition, the general solution with the stated boundary conditions isThe coefficients are fixed only if initial data are supplied: for $u(x,0)=f(x)$, they are the Fourier sine series coefficients $c_n=(2/L){\int }_0^{L}f(x)\sin (n\pi x/L)dx$. Here they remain arbitrary subject to convergence. Every mode has the ordinary diffusive decay rate plus the additional reaction decay rate one.