Reconstructing phase dynamics of oscillator networks

We generalize our recent approach to the reconstruction of phase dynamics of coupled oscillators from data [B. Kralemann et al., Phys. Rev. E 77, 066205 (2008)] to cover the case of small networks of coupled periodic units. Starting from a multivariate time series, we first reconstruct genuine phases and then obtain the coupling functions in terms of these phases. Partial norms of these coupling functions quantify directed coupling between oscillators. We illustrate the method by different network motifs for three coupled oscillators and for random networks of five and nine units. We also discuss nonlinear effects in coupling.     

Chimeras in random non-complete networks of phase oscillators

We consider the simplest network of coupled non-identical phase oscillators capable of displaying a "chimera" state (namely, two subnetworks with strong coupling within the subnetworks and weaker coupling between them) and systematically investigate the effects of gradually removing connections within the network, in a random but systematically specified way. We average over ensembles of networks with the same random connectivity but different intrinsic oscillator frequencies and derive ordinary differential equations (ODEs), whose fixed points describe a typical chimera state in a representative network of phase oscillators. Following these fixed points as parameters are varied we find that chimera states are quite sensitive to such random removals of connections, and that oscillations of chimera states can be either created or suppressed in apparent bifurcation points, depending on exactly how the connections are gradually removed.     

Emergence of coherence in complex networks of heterogeneous dynamical systems

We present a general theory for the onset of coherence in collections of heterogeneous maps interacting via a complex connection network. Our method allows the dynamics of the individual uncoupled systems to be either chaotic or periodic, and applies generally to networks for which the number of connections per node is large. We find that the critical coupling strength at which a transition to synchrony takes place depends separately on the dynamics of the individual uncoupled systems and on the largest eigenvalue of the adjacency matrix of the coupling network. Our theory directly generalizes the Kuramoto model of equal strength all-to-all coupled phase oscillators to the case of oscillators with more realistic dynamics coupled via a large heterogeneous network.     

Synchronization of coupled oscillators on small-world networks

We investigate the synchronous dynamics of Kuramoto oscillators and van der Pol oscillators on Watts-Strogatz type small-world networks. The order parameters to characterize macroscopic synchronization are calculated by numerical integration. We focus on the difference between frequency synchronization and phase synchronization. In both oscillator systems, the critical coupling strength of the phase order is larger than that of the frequency order for the small-world networks. The critical coupling strength for the phase and frequency synchronization diverges as the network structure approaches the regular one. For the Kuramoto oscillators, the behavior can be described by a power-law function and the exponents are obtained for the two synchronizations. The separation of the critical point between the phase and frequency synchronizations is found only for small-world networks in the theoretical models studied.     

An Approach to Analyse Phase Synchronization in Oscillator Networks with Weak Coupling

We study phase synchronization in oscillator networks through phase reduced method. The dynamics of networks is reduced to phase equations by this method. Analysing the phase equations through the master stability function method, one obtains that the oscillators with identical frequency can be in-phase synchronized by weak balanced coupling. Similarly, the problem of frequency synchronization of oscillators with different frequencies is transformed to the existence of a locally asymptotically stable equilibrium of the phase error system.     

Hierarchical synchronization in complex networks with heterogeneous degrees

We study synchronization behavior in networks of coupled chaotic oscillators with heterogeneous connection degrees. Our focus is on regimes away from the complete synchronization state, when the coupling is not strong enough, when the oscillators are under the influence of noise or when the oscillators are nonidentical. We have found a hierarchical organization of the synchronization behavior with respect to the collective dynamics of the network. Oscillators with more connections (hubs) are synchronized more closely by the collective dynamics and constitute the dynamical core of the network. The numerical observation of this hierarchical synchronization is supported with an analysis based on a mean field approximation and the master stability function.     

Neuronal oscillators in aplysia californica that demonstrate weak coupling in vitro

Networks of oscillators produce vital activity in diverse natural systems. The dynamics of these networks are frequently studied via computational models that assume weak coupling, yet this assumption has not been experimentally validated. We applied weak stimuli to neuronal oscillators in Aplysia californica and deconvolved infinitesimal phase response curves (IPRCs) that describe the phase response of a neuron. We show that these IPRCs reliably predict the phase response for weak stimuli, independent of the stimulus waveform used. These weak stimuli are in the range of normal synaptic activity for these neurons, suggesting that weak coupling is a likely mechanism.     

Repulsive synchronization in an array of phase oscillators

We study the dynamics of a repulsively coupled array of phase oscillators. For an array of globally coupled identical oscillators, repulsive coupling results in a family of synchronized regimes characterized by zero mean field. If the number of oscillators is sufficiently large, phase locking among oscillators is destroyed, independently of the coupling strength, when the oscillators' natural frequencies are not the same. In locally coupled networks, however, phase locking occurs even for nonidentical oscillators when the coupling strength is sufficiently strong.     

振幅耦合动态网络中相邻结点间的相同步

研究用适当的量化指标来刻画动态网络的相同步,为此定义了新的量化指标:相邻结点的网络平均锁相值和网络平均相频差.动态网络结点选择的是多旋转中心的Lorenz混沌振子,对Lorenz系统进行柱面坐标变换,用振幅耦合方法构造动态网络.分别对星形网络和小世界网络进行了仿真计算,结果表明随着耦合强度的增大,网络中相邻结点的两个系统之间存在相同步现象,而且相同步行为与定义的量化指标之间存在较准确的对应关系.     

Amplitude and phase effects on the synchronization of delay-coupled oscillators

We consider the behavior of Stuart-Landau oscillators as generic limit-cycle oscillators when they are interacting with delay. We investigate the role of amplitude and phase instabilities in producing symmetry-breaking/restoring transitions. Using analytical and numerical methods we compare the dynamics of one oscillator with delayed feedback, two oscillators mutually coupled with delay, and two delay-coupled elements with self-feedback. Taking only the phase dynamics into account, no chaotic dynamics is observed, and the stability of the identical synchronization solution is the same in each of the three studied networks of delay-coupled elements. When allowing for a variable oscillation amplitude, the delay can induce amplitude instabilities. We provide analytical proof that, in case of two mutually coupled elements, the onset of an amplitude instability always results in antiphase oscillations, leading to a leader-laggard behavior in the chaotic regime. Adding self-feedback with the same strength and delay as the coupling stabilizes the system in the transverse direction and, thus, promotes the onset of identically synchronized behavior.     

Detecting synchronization in coupled stochastic ecosystem networks

Instantaneous phase difference, synchronization index and mutual information are considered in order to detect phase transitions, collective behaviours and synchronization phenomena that emerge for different levels of diffusive and reactive activity in stochastic networks. The network under investigation is a spatial 2D lattice which serves as a substrate for Lotka-Volterra dynamics with 3rd order nonlinearities. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the system spontaneously organizes into a number of asynchronous local oscillators, when only nearest neighbour interactions are considered. In contrast, the oscillators can be correlated, phase synchronized and completely synchronized when introducing different interactivity rules (diffusive or reactive) for nearby and distant species. The quantitative measures of synchronization show that long distance diffusion coupling induces phase synchronization after a well defined transition point, while long distance reaction coupling induces smeared phase synchronization.     

Synchronization patterns and chimera states in complex networks: Interplay of topology and dynamics

We review chimera patterns, which consist of coexisting spatial domains of coherent (synchronized) and incoherent (desynchronized) dynamics in networks of identical oscillators. We focus on chimera states involving amplitude as well as phase dynamics, complex topologies like small-world or hierarchical (fractal), noise, and delay. We show that a plethora of novel chimera patterns arise if one goes beyond the Kuramoto phase oscillator model. For the FitzHugh-Nagumo system, the Van der Pol oscillator, and the Stuart-Landau oscillator with symmetry-breaking coupling various multi-chimera patterns including amplitude chimeras and chimera death occur. To test the robustness of chimera patterns with respect to changes in the structure of the network, regular rings with coupling range R, small-world, and fractal topologies are studied. We also address the robustness of amplitude chimera states in the presence of noise. If delay is added, the lifetime of transient chimeras can be drastically increased.     

Networks of noisy oscillators with correlated degree and frequency dispersion

We investigate how correlations between the diversity of the connectivity of networks andthe dynamics at their nodes affect the macroscopic behavior. In particular, we study thesynchronization transition of coupled stochastic phase oscillators that represent the nodedynamics. Crucially in our work, the variability in the number of connections of the nodesis correlated with the width of the frequency distribution of the oscillators. Bynumerical simulations on Erdös-Rényi networks, where the frequencies of the oscillatorsare Gaussian distributed, we make the counterintuitive observation that an increase in thestrength of the correlation is accompanied by an increase in the critical couplingstrength for the onset of synchronization. We further observe that the critical couplingcan solely depend on the average number of connections or even completely lose itsdependence on the network connectivity. Only beyond this state, a weighted mean-fieldapproximation breaks down. If noise is present, the correlations have to be stronger toyield similar observations.     

The effect of topology on organization of synchronous behavior in dynamical networks with adaptive couplings

We study the influence of the initial topology of connections on the organization of synchronous behavior in networks of phase oscillators with adaptive couplings. We found that networks with a random sparse structure of connections predominantly demonstrate the scenario as a result of which chimera states are formed. The formation of chimera states retains the features of the hierarchical organization observed in networks with global connections [D.V. Kasatkin, S. Yanchuk, E. Schöll, V.I. Nekorkin, Phys. Rev. E 96, 062211 (2017)], and also demonstrates a number of new properties due to the presence of a random structure of network topology. In this case, the formation of coherent groups takes a much longer time interval, and the sets of elements that form these groups can be significantly rearranged during the evolution of the network. We also found chimera states, in which along with the coherent and incoherent groups, there are subsets, whose different elements can be synchronized with each other for sufficiently long periods of time.     

Synchronization in large directed networks of coupled phase oscillators

We study the emergence of collective synchronization in large directed networks of heterogeneous oscillators by generalizing the classical Kuramoto model of globally coupled phase oscillators to more realistic networks. We extend recent theoretical approximations describing the transition to synchronization in large undirected networks of coupled phase oscillators to the case of directed networks. We also consider the case of networks with mixed positive-negative coupling strengths. We compare our theory with numerical simulations and find good agreement.     

n:m phase synchronization with mutual coupling phase signals

We generalize the n:m phase synchronization between two chaotic oscillators by mutual coupling phase signals. To characterize this phenomenon, we use two coupled oscillators to demonstrate their phase synchronization with amplitudes practically noncorrelated. We take the 1:1 phase synchronization as an example to show the properties of mean frequencies, mean phase difference, and Lyapunov exponents at various values of coupling strength. The phase difference increases with 2pi phase slips below the transition. The scaling rules of the slip near and away from the transition are studied. Furthermore, we demonstrate the transition to a variety of n:m phase synchronizations and analyze the corresponding coupling dynamics. (c) 2002 American Institute of Physics.     

Synchronization of phase oscillators with heterogeneous coupling: A solvable case

We consider an extension of Kuramoto’s model of coupled phase oscillators where oscillator pairs interact with different strengths. When the coupling coefficient of each pair can be separated into two different factors, each one associated to an oscillator, Kuramoto’s theory for the transition to synchronization can be explicitly generalized, and the effects of coupling heterogeneity on synchronized states can be analytically studied. The two factors are respectively interpreted as the weight of the contribution of each oscillator to the mean field, and the coupling of each oscillator to that field. We explicitly analyze the effects of correlations between those weights and couplings, and show that synchronization can be completely inhibited when they are strongly anti-correlated. Numerical results validate the theory, but suggest that finite-size effect are relevant to the collective dynamics close to the synchronization transition, where oscillators become entrained in synchronized frequency clusters.     

Desynchronization by phase slip patterns in networks of pulse-coupled oscillators with delays

Coupling delays may cause drastic changes in the dynamics of oscillatory networks. In the present paper we investigate how coupling delays alter synchronization processes in networks of all-to-all coupled pulse oscillators. We derive an analytic criterion for the stability of synchrony and study the synchronization areas in the space of the delay and coupling strength. Specific attention is paid to the scenario of destabilization on the borders of the synchronization area. We show that in bifurcation points the system possesses homoclinic loops, which give rise to complex long- or quasi-periodic solutions. These newly born solutions are characterized by a synchronous group, from which an oscillator periodically escapes, laps one period, and rejoins. We call such a dynamical regime “phase slip patterns”.     

Multiscale dynamics in communities of phase oscillators

We investigate the dynamics of systems of many coupled phase oscillators with heterogeneous frequencies. We suppose that the oscillators occur in M groups. Each oscillator is connected to other oscillators in its group with "attractive" coupling, such that the coupling promotes synchronization within the group. The coupling between oscillators in different groups is "repulsive," i.e., their oscillation phases repel. To address this problem, we reduce the governing equations to a lower-dimensional form via the ansatz of Ott and Antonsen, Chaos 18, 037113 (2008). We first consider the symmetric case where all group parameters are the same, and the attractive and repulsive coupling are also the same for each of the M groups. We find a manifold L of neutrally stable equilibria, and we show that all other equilibria are unstable. For M?≥?3, L has dimension M?-?2, and for M?=?2, it has dimension 1. To address the general asymmetric case, we then introduce small deviations from symmetry in the group and coupling parameters. Doing a slow/fast timescale analysis, we obtain slow time evolution equations for the motion of the M groups on the manifold L. We use these equations to study the dynamics of the groups and compare the results with numerical simulations.     

Semi-passivity and synchronization of diffusively coupled neuronal oscillators

We discuss synchronization in networks of neuronal oscillators which are interconnected via diffusive coupling, i.e. linearly coupled via gap junctions. In particular, we present sufficient conditions for synchronization in these networks using the theory of semi-passive and passive systems. We show that the conductance based neuronal models of Hodgkin-Huxley, Morris-Lecar, and the popular reduced models of FitzHugh-Nagumo and Hindmarsh-Rose all satisfy a semi-passivity property, i.e. that is the state trajectories of such a model remain oscillatory but bounded provided that the supplied (electrical) energy is bounded. As a result, for a wide range of coupling configurations, networks of these oscillators are guaranteed to possess ultimately bounded solutions. Moreover, we demonstrate that when the coupling is strong enough the oscillators become synchronized. Our theoretical conclusions are confirmed by computer simulations with coupled Hindmarsh-Rose and Morris-Lecar oscillators. Finally we discuss possible “instabilities” in networks of oscillators induced by the diffusive coupling.