Complex transitions to synchronization in delay-coupled networks of logistic maps

A network of delay-coupled logistic maps exhibits two different synchronization regimes, depending on the distribution of the coupling delay times. When the delays are homogeneous throughout the network, the network synchronizes to a time-dependent state [F.M. Atay, J. Jost, A. Wende, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 144101 (2004)], which may be periodic or chaotic depending on the delay; when the delays are sufficiently heterogeneous, the synchronization proceeds to a steady-state, which is unstable for the uncoupled map [C. Masoller, A.C. Marti, Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 134102 (2005)]. Here we characterize the transition from time-dependent to steady-state synchronization as the width of the delay distribution increases. We also compare the two transitions to synchronization as the coupling strength increases. We use transition probabilities calculated via symbolic analysis and ordinal patterns. We find that, as the coupling strength increases, before the onset of steady-state synchronization the network splits into two clusters which are in anti-phase relation with each other. On the other hand, with increasing delay heterogeneity, no cluster formation is seen at the onset of steady-state synchronization; however, a rather complex unsynchronized state is detected, revealed by a diversity of transition probabilities in the network nodes.     

Chaotic patterns in a coupled oscillator-excitator biochemical cell system

In this paper we examine dynamical modes resulting from diffusion-like interaction of two model biochemical cells. Kinetics in each of the cells is given by the ICC model of calcium ions in the cytosol. Constraints for one of the cells are set so that it is excitable. One of the constraints in the other cell - a fraction of activated cell surface receptors-is varied so that the dynamics in the cell is either excitable or oscillatory or a stable focus. The cells are interacting via mass transfer and dynamics of the coupled system are studied as two parameters are varied-the fraction of activated receptors and the coupling strength. We find that (i) the excitator-excitator interaction does not lead to oscillatory patterns, (ii) the oscillator-excitator interaction leads to alternating phase-locked periodic and quasiperiodic regimes, well known from oscillator-oscillator interactions; torus breaking bifurcation generates chaos when the coupling strength is in an intermediate range, (iii) the focus-excitator interaction generates compound oscillations arranged as period adding sequences alternating with chaotic windows; the transition to chaos is accompanied by period doublings and folding of branches of periodic orbits and is associated with a Shilnikov homoclinic orbit. The nature of spontaneous self-organized oscillations in the focus-excitator range is discussed. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.     

Localization attractors in active quasiperiodic arrays

In dissipationless linear lattices, spatial disorder or quasiperiodic modulations in on-site potentials induce localization of the eigenstates and block the spreading of wave packets. Quasiperiodic inhomogeneities allow for the metal–insulator transition at a finite modulation amplitude already in one dimension. We go beyond the dissipationless limit and consider nonlinear quasi-periodic arrays that are additionally subjected to dissipative losses and energy pumping. We find finite excitation thresholds for oscillatory phases in both metallic and insulating regimes. In contrast to disordered arrays, the transition in the metallic and weakly insulating regimes display features of the second order phase transition accompanied by a large-scale cluster synchronization. In the limit of strong localization, we find the existence of globally stable asymptotic states consisting of several localized modes. These localization attractors and chaotic synchronization effects can be potentially implemented with polariton condensate lattices and cavity-QED arrays.     

Clusters and switchers in globally coupled photochemical oscillators

We experimentally investigate the transition to synchronization in a population of photochemical oscillators with weak global coupling. Above a critical coupling strength the oscillators join a one-phase group or two-phase clusters. The number of oscillators in each cluster depends on the initial phase distribution, and irregular switching of oscillators between clusters is observed. The fully synchronized state emerges above a second critical coupling strength. In agreement with earlier theory, the experiments demonstrate the importance of population heterogeneity in cluster multistability.     

Synchronization in networks of limit cycle oscillators

We investigate the synchronization behaviour of three different networks of nonlinearly coupled oscillators. Each network consists of several clusters of oscillators, and the clusters themselves consist of any number of oscillators. In each cluster the eigenfrequencies scatter around the cluster frequency (mean frequency). The coupling strength varies in each cluster, too. We analyze the synchronized states by means of the center manifold theorem. This enables us to calculate these states explicitly, and to prove their stability. Moreover we are able to determine frequency shifts caused by different coupling mechanisms. In a number of cases we calculate the synchronisation threshold explicitely. Numerical simulations illustrate our analytical results. In one of the three networks we have additionally analyzed a single cluster consisting of infinitely many oscillators, that is an oscillatory field. Again, the center manifold theorem enabled us to calculate the synchronized state explicitly and to prove its stability. Our results concerning the oscillatory field are in contradiction to Ermentrout's analysis [6].     

Synchronization dynamics of chemically coupled cells with activator–inhibitor pathways

Systems of interacting cells containing an activator–inhibitor pathway, regulating naturally in their inner parts their end-product concentrations through a sequence of biochemical reactions with feedback-loops: an end-product inhibition of the first substrate, and an autocatalytic activation of the end-product through an allosteric enzyme-mediated reaction are investigated. The individual cells are considered to be identical and are described by nonlinear differential equations recently proposed following the concerted transition model. The chemical and electrical coupling types, realized by exchange of metabolites across concentration of the cells are used in order to analyze the onset of phase and complete synchronization in the biochemical system. It is found that depending on the coupling nature and the range of coupling strength, cells enter into different synchronization regimes going from low-quality to high-quality synchronization. The synchronization manifold's stability is analyzed. The results are supported by numerical simulations using indicators such as the conditional Lyapunov exponents and the rate of change of the Lyapunov function. The results indicate that the system cannot completely synchronize under the single action of the chemical coupling. The combined effect of both chemical and electrical couplings is found to be of capital importance in the onset of complete synchronization and high quality synchronization.     

Synchronization of coupled stochastic oscillators: The effect of topology

We study sets of genetic networks having stochastic oscillatory dynamics. Depending on the coupling topology we find regimes of phase synchronization of the dynamical variables. We consider the effect of time-delay in the interaction and show that for suitable choices of delay parameter, either in-phase or anti-phase synchronization can occur.      

The dynamics of two coupled Van der Pol oscillators with attractive and repulsive coupling

We consider a variant of two coupled Van der Pol oscillators with both attractive and repulsive mean-field interactions. In the presence of attractive coupling, the system is in the complete synchrony, while repulsive coupling shows anti-synchronization state leading to suppression of oscillations with increasing interaction strength. The coupled system with both attractive and repulsive interactions shows competitive tendencies of being complete synchronization and anti-synchronization resulting in the stabilization of the fixed point. We have also studied the effect of the damping coefficient of the VdP oscillator on the nature of the transition from oscillatory to a steady-state. These oscillators stabilize to unstable equilibrium point or coupling dependent inhomogeneous steady state via second or first-order transitions respectively depending upon the damping coefficient and coupling strength. These transitions are analyzed in the parameter plane by analytical and numerical studies of the two coupled Van der Pol oscillators.     

Synchronization of self-sustained oscillators inertially coupled through common damped system

We study the dynamics of two self-oscillating systems inertially coupled to a linear oscillator. This interaction mechanism results in various types of synchronous motions such as in-phase, anti-phase and phase synchronization. We demonstrate the existence of mono-stable regimes and multi-stable behavior with two or more coexisting attractors. We present the bifurcational analysis revealing transition mechanisms between these regimes. In the multi-stable case, we examine the role of coupling parameter and shape of oscillations (the parameter indicating nonlinearity and strength of the damping) in various structure formations of attraction basins.     

Frequency clustering of coupled phase oscillators on small-world networks

We analyze the phenomenon of frequency clustering in a system of coupled phase oscillators. The oscillators, which in the absence of coupling have uniformly distributed natural frequencies, are coupled through a small-world network, built according to the Watts-Strogatz model. We study the time evolution and determine variations in the transient times depending on the disorder of the network and on the coupling strength. We investigate the effects of fluctuations in the average frequencies, and discuss the definition of the threshold for synchronization. We characterize the structure of clusters and the distribution of cluster sizes in the synchronization transition, and define suitable order parameters to describe the aggregation of the oscillators as the network disorder and the coupling strength change. The non-monotonic behavior observed in some order parameters is related to fluctuations in the mean frequencies.     

Self-organized transition to coherent activity in disordered media

Synchronized oscillations are of critical functional importance in many biological systems. We show that such oscillations can arise without centralized coordination in a disordered system of electrically coupled excitable and passive cells. Increasing the coupling strength results in waves that lead to coherent periodic activity, exhibiting cluster, local and global synchronization under different conditions. Our results may explain the self-organized transition in a pregnant uterus from transient, localized activity initially to system-wide coherent excitations just before delivery.     

Persistent clusters in lattices of coupled nonidentical chaotic systems

Two-dimensional (2D) lattices of diffusively coupled chaotic oscillators are studied. In previous work, it was shown that various cluster synchronization regimes exist when the oscillators are identical. Here, analytical and numerical studies allow us to conclude that these cluster synchronization regimes persist when the chaotic oscillators have slightly different parameters. In the analytical approach, the stability of almost-perfect synchronization regimes is proved via the Lyapunov function method for a wide class of systems, and the synchronization error is estimated. Examples include a 2D lattice of nonidentical Lorenz systems with scalar diffusive coupling. In the numerical study, it is shown that in lattices of Lorenz and Rossler systems the cluster synchronization regimes are stable and robust against up to 10%-15% parameter mismatch and against small noise.     

Transition from phase to generalized synchronization in time-delay systems

The notion of phase synchronization in time-delay systems, exhibiting highly non-phase-coherent attractors, has not been realized yet even though it has been well studied in chaotic dynamical systems without delay. We report the identification of phase synchronization in coupled nonidentical piecewise linear and in coupled Mackey-Glass time-delay systems with highly non-phase-coherent regimes. We show that there is a transition from nonsynchronized behavior to phase and then to generalized synchronization as a function of coupling strength. We have introduced a transformation to capture the phase of the non-phase-coherent attractors, which works equally well for both the time-delay systems. The instantaneous phases of the above coupled systems calculated from the transformed attractors satisfy both the phase and mean frequency locking conditions. These transitions are also characterized in terms of recurrence-based indices, namely generalized autocorrelation function P(t), correlation of probability of recurrence, joint probability of recurrence, and similarity of probability of recurrence. We have quantified the different synchronization regimes in terms of these indices. The existence of phase synchronization is also characterized by typical transitions in the Lyapunov exponents of the coupled time-delay systems.     

Experimental evidence of anomalous phase synchronization in two diffusively coupled Chua oscillators

We study the transition to phase synchronization in two diffusively coupled, nonidentical Chua oscillators. In the experiments, depending on the used parameterization, we observe several distinct routes to phase synchronization, including states of either in-phase, out-of-phase, or antiphase synchronization, which may be intersected by an intermediate desynchronization regime with large fluctuations of the frequency difference. Furthermore, we report the first experimental evidence of an anomalous transition to phase synchronization, which is characterized by an initial enlargement of the natural frequency difference with coupling strength. This results in a maximal frequency disorder at intermediate coupling levels, whereas usual phase synchronization via monotonic decrease in frequency difference sets in only for larger coupling values. All experimental results are supported by numerical simulations of two coupled Chua models.     

Mesoscale and clusters of synchrony in networks of bursting neurons

We study the role of network architecture in the formation of synchronous clusters in synaptically coupled networks of bursting neurons. We give a simple combinatorial algorithm that finds the largest synchronous clusters from the network topology. We demonstrate that networks with a certain degree of internal symmetries are likely to have cluster decompositions with relatively large clusters, leading potentially to cluster synchronization at the mesoscale network level. We also address the asymptotic stability of cluster synchronization in excitatory networks of Hindmarsh-Rose bursting neurons and derive explicit thresholds for the coupling strength that guarantees stable cluster synchronization.     

Universality of synchrony: critical behavior in a discrete model of stochastic phase-coupled oscillators

We present the simplest discrete model to date that leads to synchronization of stochastic phase-coupled oscillators. In the mean field limit, the model exhibits a Hopf bifurcation and global oscillatory behavior as coupling crosses a critical value. When coupling between units is strictly local, the model undergoes a continuous phase transition which we characterize numerically using finite-size scaling analysis. In particular, the onset of global synchrony is marked by signatures of the XY universality class, including the appropriate classical exponents beta and nu, a lower critical dimension d(lc) = 2, and an upper critical dimension d(uc) = 4.     

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”.     

Synchronizability of chaotic logistic maps in delayed complex networks

We study a network of coupled logistic maps whose interactions occur with a certain distribution of delay times. The local dynamics is chaotic in the absence of coupling and thus the network is a paradigm of a complex system. There are two regimes of synchronization, depending on the distribution of delays: when the delays are sufficiently heterogeneous the network synchronizes on a steady-state (that is unstable for the uncoupled maps); when the delays are homogeneous, it synchronizes in a time-dependent state (that is either periodic or chaotic). Using two global indicators we quantify the synchronizability on the two regimes, focusing on the roles of the network connectivity and the topology. The connectivity is measured in terms of the average number of links per node, and we consider various topologies (scale-free, small-world, star, and nearest-neighbor with and without a central hub). With weak connectivity and weak coupling strength, the network displays an irregular oscillatory dynamics that is largely independent of the topology and of the delay distribution. With heterogeneous delays, we find a threshold connectivity level below which the network does not synchronize, regardless of the network size. This minimum average number of neighbors seems to be independent of the delay distribution. We also analyze the effect of self-feedback loops and find that they have an impact on the synchronizability of small networks with large coupling strengths. The influence of feedback, enhancing or degrading synchronization, depends on the topology and on the distribution of delays.     

Synchronization scenarios of chimeras in multiplex networks

Complex networks consisting of several interacting layers allow for remote synchronization of distant layers via an intermediate relay layer. We extend the notion of relay synchronization to chimera states, and study the scenarios of relay synchronization in a three-layer network of FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) oscillators, where each layer has a nonlocal coupling topology. Varying the coupling strength and time delay in the inter-layer connections, we observe relay synchronization between chimera states, i.e., complex spatio-temporal patterns of coexisting coherent and incoherent domains, in the outer network layers. Special regimes where only the coherent domains of chimeras are synchronized, and the incoherent domains remain desynchronized, as well as transitions between different synchronization regimes are analyzed.