Chimera states in networks of Van der Pol oscillators with hierarchical connectivities

Impact of pulse exposure on chimera state in ensemble of FitzHugh-Nagumo systems

In this article, we consider the influence of a periodic sequence of Gaussian pulses on a chimera state in a ring of coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo systems. We found that on the way to complete spatial synchronization, one can observe a number of variations of chimera states that are not typical for the parameter range under consideration. For example, the following modes were found: breathing chimera, chimera with intermittency in the incoherent part, traveling chimera with strong intermittency, and others. For comparison, here we also consider the impact of a harmonic influence on the same chimera, and to preserve the generality of the conclusions, we compare the regimes caused by both a purely positive harmonic influence and a positive-negative one.

Chimera resonance in networks of chaotic maps

We explore numerically the impact of additive Gaussian noise on the spatiotemporal dynamics of ring networks of nonlocally coupled chaotic maps. The local dynamics of network nodes is described by the logistic map, the Ricker map, and the Henon map. 2D distributions of the probability of observing chimera states are constructed in terms of the coupling strength and the noise intensity and for several choices of the local dynamics parameters. It is shown that the coupling strength range can be the widest at a certain optimum noise level at which chimera states are observed with a high probability for a large number of different realizations of randomly distributed initial conditions and noise sources. This phenomenon demonstrates a constructive role of noise in analogy with the effects of stochastic and coherence resonance and may be referred to as chimera resonance.

Short-lived chimera states

In the classic Kuramoto system of coupled two-dimensional rotators, chimera states characterized by the coexistence of synchronous and asynchronous groups of oscillators are long-lived because the average lifetime of these states increases exponentially with the system size. Recently, it was discovered that, when the rotators in the Kuramoto model are three-dimensional, the chimera states become short-lived in the sense that their lifetime scales with only the logarithm of the dimension-augmenting perturbation. We introduce transverse-stability analysis to understand the short-lived chimera states. In particular, on the unit sphere representing three-dimensional (3D) rotations, the long-lived chimera states in the classic Kuramoto system occur on the equator, to which latitudinal perturbations that make the rotations 3D are transverse. We demonstrate that the largest transverse Lyapunov exponent calculated with respect to these long-lived chimera states is typically positive, making them short-lived. The transverse-stability analysis turns the previous numerical scaling law of the transient lifetime into an exact formula: the "free" proportional constant in the original scaling law can now be precisely determined in terms of the largest transverse Lyapunov exponent. Our analysis reinforces the speculation that in physical systems, chimera states can be short-lived as they are vulnerable to any perturbations that have a component transverse to the invariant subspace in which they live.

Effect of fractional derivatives on amplitude chimeras and symmetry-breaking death states in networks of limit-cycle oscillators

We study networks of coupled oscillators whose local dynamics are governed by the fractional-order versions of the paradigmatic van der Pol and Rayleigh oscillators. We show that the networks exhibit diverse amplitude chimeras and oscillation death patterns. The occurrence of amplitude chimeras in a network of van der Pol oscillators is observed for the first time. A form of amplitude chimera, namely, "damped amplitude chimera" is observed and characterized, where the size of the incoherent region(s) increases continuously in the course of time, and the oscillations of drifting units are damped continuously until they are quenched to steady state. It is found that as the order of the fractional derivative decreases, the lifetime of classical amplitude chimeras increases, and there is a critical point at which there is a transition to damped amplitude chimeras. Overall, a decrease in the order of fractional derivatives reduces the propensity to synchronization and promotes oscillation death phenomena including solitary oscillation death and chimera death patterns that were unobserved in networks of integer-order oscillators. This effect of the fractional derivatives is verified by the stability analysis based on the properties of the master stability function of some collective dynamical states calculated from the block-diagonalized variational equations of the coupled systems. The present study generalizes the results of our recently studied network of fractional-order Stuart-Landau oscillators.

Multistable chimera states in a smallest population of three coupled oscillators

We uncover the emergence of distinct sets of multistable chimera states in addition to chimera death and synchronized states in a smallest population of three globally coupled oscillators with mean-field diffusive coupling. Sequence of torus bifurcations result in the manifestation of distinct periodic orbits as a function of the coupling strength, which in turn result in the genesis of distinct chimera states constituted by two synchronized oscillators coexisting with an asynchronous oscillator. Two subsequent Hopf bifurcations result in homogeneous and inhomogeneous steady states resulting in desynchronized steady states and chimera death state among the coupled oscillators. The periodic orbits and the steady states lose their stability via a sequence of saddle-loop and saddle-node bifurcations finally resulting in a stable synchronized state. We have generalized these results to N coupled oscillators and also deduced the variational equations corresponding to the perturbation transverse to the synchronization manifold and corroborated the synchronized state in the two-parameter phase diagrams using its largest eigenvalue. Chimera states in three coupled oscillators emerge as a solitary state in N coupled oscillator ensemble.

Transition from chimera/solitary states to traveling waves

We study numerically the spatiotemporal dynamics in a ring network of nonlocally coupled nonlinear oscillators, each represented by a two-dimensional discrete-time model of the classical van der Pol oscillator. It is shown that the discretized oscillator exhibits richer behavior, combining the peculiarities of both the original system and its own dynamics. Moreover, a large variety of spatiotemporal structures is observed in the network of discrete van der Pol oscillators when the discretization parameter and the coupling strength are varied. Regimes, such as the coexistence of a multichimera state/a traveling wave and a solitary state are revealed for the first time and are studied in detail. It is established that the majority of the observed chimera/solitary states, including the newly found ones, are transient toward a purely traveling wave mode. The peculiarities of the transition process and the lifetime (transient duration) of the chimera structures and the solitary state are analyzed depending on the system parameters, the observation time, initial conditions, and the influence of external noise.

From Turing patterns to chimera states in the 2D Brusselator model

The Brusselator has been used as a prototype model for autocatalytic reactions and, in particular, for the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. When coupled at the diffusive limit, the Brusselator undergoes a Turing bifurcation resulting in the formation of classical Turing patterns, such as spots, stripes, and spirals in two spatial dimensions. In the present study, we use generic nonlocally coupled Brusselators and show that in the limit of the coupling range R→1 (diffusive limit), the classical Turing patterns are recovered, while for intermediate coupling ranges and appropriate parameter values, chimera states are produced. This study demonstrates how the parameters of a typical nonlinear oscillator can be tuned so that the coupled system passes from spatially stable Turing structures to dynamical spatiotemporal chimera states.

Chimeras with uniformly distributed heterogeneity: Two coupled populations

Chimeras occur in networks of two coupled populations of oscillators when the oscillators in one population synchronize while those in the other are asynchronous. We consider chimeras of this form in networks of planar oscillators for which one parameter associated with the dynamics of an oscillator is randomly chosen from a uniform distribution. A generalization of the previous approach [Laing, Phys. Rev. E 100, 042211 (2019)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.100.042211], which dealt with identical oscillators, is used to investigate the existence and stability of chimeras for these heterogeneous networks in the limit of an infinite number of oscillators. In all cases, making the oscillators more heterogeneous destroys the stable chimera in a saddle-node bifurcation. The results help us understand the robustness of chimeras in networks of general oscillators to heterogeneity.

Frequency chimera state induced by differing dynamical timescales

We report the occurrence of a self-emerging frequency chimera state in spatially extended systems of coupled oscillators, where the coherence and incoherence are defined with respect to the emergent frequency of the oscillations. This is generated by the local coupling among nonlinear oscillators evolving under differing dynamical timescales starting from random initial conditions. We show how they self-organize to structured patterns with spatial domains of coherence that are in frequency synchronization, coexisting with domains that are incoherent in frequencies. Our study has relevance in understanding such patterns observed in real-world systems like neuronal systems, power grids, social and ecological networks, where differing dynamical timescales is natural and realistic among the interacting systems.

Spiral wave chimera-like transient dynamics in three-dimensional grid of diffusive ecological systems

In the present article, we demonstrate the emergence and existence of the spiral wave chimera-like transient pattern in coupled ecological systems, composed of prey-predator patches, where the patches are connected in a three-dimensional medium through local diffusion. We explore the transition scenarios among several collective dynamical behaviors together with transient spiral wave chimera-like states and investigate the long time behavior of these states. The transition from the transient spiral chimera-like pattern to the long time synchronized or desynchronized pattern appears through the deformation of the incoherent region of the spiral core. We discuss the transient dynamics under the influence of the species diffusion at different time instants. By calculating the instantaneous strength of incoherence of the populations, we estimate the duration of the transient dynamics characterized by the persistence of the chimera-like spatial coexistence of coherent and incoherent patterns over the spatial domain. We generalize our observations on the transient dynamics in a three-dimensional grid of diffusive ecological systems by considering two different prey-predator systems.

Chimeras confined by fractal boundaries in the complex plane

Complex-valued quadratic maps either converge to fixed points, enter into periodic cycles, show aperiodic behavior, or diverge to infinity. Which of these scenarios takes place depends on the map's complex-valued parameter c and the initial conditions. The Mandelbrot set is defined by the set of c values for which the map remains bounded when initiated at the origin of the complex plane. In this study, we analyze the dynamics of a coupled network of two pairs of two quadratic maps in dependence on the parameter c. Across the four maps, c is kept the same whereby the maps are identical. In analogy to the behavior of individual maps, the network iterates either diverge to infinity or remain bounded. The bounded solutions settle into different stable states, including full synchronization and desynchronization of all maps. Furthermore, symmetric partially synchronized states of within-pair synchronization and across-pair synchronization as well as a symmetry broken chimera state are found. The boundaries between bounded and divergent solutions in the domain of c are fractals showing a rich variety of intriguingly esthetic patterns. Moreover, the set of bounded solutions is divided into countless subsets throughout all length scales in the complex plane. Each individual subset contains only one state of synchronization and is enclosed within fractal boundaries by c values leading to divergence.

Dynamics of hierarchical weighted networks of van der Pol oscillators

We investigate the dynamics of regular fractal-like networks of hierarchically coupled van der Pol oscillators. The hierarchy is imposed in terms of the coupling strengths or link weights. We study the low frequency modes, as well as frequency and phase synchronization, in the network by a process of repeated coarse-graining of oscillator units. At any given stage of this process, we sum over the signals from the oscillator units of a clique to obtain a new oscillating unit. The frequencies and the phases for the coarse-grained oscillators are found to progressively synchronize with the number of coarse-graining steps. Furthermore, the characteristic frequency is found to decrease and finally stabilize to a value that can be tuned via the parameters of the system. We compare our numerical results with those of an approximate analytic solution and find good qualitative agreement. Our study on this idealized model shows how oscillations with a precise frequency can be obtained in systems with heterogeneous couplings. It also demonstrates the effect of imposing a hierarchy in terms of link weights instead of one that is solely topological, where the connectivity between oscillators would be the determining factor, as is usually the case.

FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators on complex networks mimic epileptic-seizure-related synchronization phenomena

We study patterns of partial synchronization in a network of FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators with empirical structural connectivity measured in human subjects. We report the spontaneous occurrence of synchronization phenomena that closely resemble the ones seen during epileptic seizures in humans. In order to obtain deeper insights into the interplay between dynamics and network topology, we perform long-term simulations of oscillatory dynamics on different paradigmatic network structures: random networks, regular nonlocally coupled ring networks, ring networks with fractal connectivities, and small-world networks with various rewiring probability. Among these networks, a small-world network with intermediate rewiring probability best mimics the findings achieved with the simulations using the empirical structural connectivity. For the other network topologies, either no spontaneously occurring epileptic-seizure-related synchronization phenomena can be observed in the simulated dynamics, or the overall degree of synchronization remains high throughout the simulation. This indicates that a topology with some balance between regularity and randomness favors the self-initiation and self-termination of episodes of seizure-like strong synchronization.

Structural anomalies in brain networks induce dynamical pacemaker effects

Dynamical effects on healthy brains and brains affected by tumor are investigated via numerical simulations. The brains are modeled as multilayer networks consisting of neuronal oscillators whose connectivities are extracted from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data. The numerical results demonstrate that the healthy brain presents chimera-like states where regions with high white matter concentrations in the direction connecting the two hemispheres act as the coherent domain, while the rest of the brain presents incoherent oscillations. To the contrary, in brains with destructed structures, traveling waves are produced initiated at the region where the tumor is located. These areas act as the pacemaker of the waves sweeping across the brain. The numerical simulations are performed using two neuronal models: (a) the FitzHugh-Nagumo model and (b) the leaky integrate-and-fire model. Both models give consistent results regarding the chimera-like oscillations in healthy brains and the pacemaker effect in the tumorous brains. These results are considered a starting point for further investigation in the detection of tumors with small sizes before becoming discernible on MRI recordings as well as in tumor development and evolution.

Chimera-like behavior in a heterogeneous Kuramoto model: The interplay between attractive and repulsive coupling

Interaction within an ensemble of coupled nonlinear oscillators induces a variety of collective behaviors. One of the most fascinating is a chimera state that manifests the coexistence of spatially distinct populations of coherent and incoherent elements. Understanding of the emergent chimera behavior in controlled experiments or real systems requires a focus on the consideration of heterogeneous network models. In this study, we explore the transitions in a heterogeneous Kuramoto model under the monotonical increase of the coupling strength and specifically find that this system exhibits a frequency-modulated chimera-like pattern during the explosive transition to synchronization. We demonstrate that this specific dynamical regime originates from the interplay between (the evolved) attractively and repulsively coupled subpopulations. We also show that the above-mentioned chimera-like state is induced under weakly non-local, small-world, and sparse scale-free coupling and suppressed in globally coupled, strongly rewired, and dense scale-free networks due to the emergence of the large-scale connections.

Amplitude chimera and chimera death induced by external agents in two-layer networks

We report the emergence of stable amplitude chimeras and chimera death in a two-layer network where one layer has an ensemble of identical nonlinear oscillators interacting directly through local coupling and indirectly through dynamic agents that form the second layer. The nonlocality in the interaction among the dynamic agents in the second layer induces different types of chimera-related dynamical states in the first layer. The amplitude chimeras developed in them are found to be extremely stable, while chimera death states are prevalent for increased coupling strengths. The results presented are for a system of coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators and can, in general, represent systems with short-range interactions coupled to another set of systems with long-range interactions. In this case, by tuning the range of interactions among the oscillators or the coupling strength between two types of systems, we can control the nature of chimera states and the system can also be restored to homogeneous steady states. The dynamic agents interacting nonlocally with long-range interactions can be considered as a dynamic environment or a medium interacting with the system. We indicate how the second layer can act as a reinforcement mechanism on the first layer under various possible interactions for desirable effects.

Complex partial synchronization patterns in networks of delay-coupled neurons

We study the spatio-temporal dynamics of a multiplex network of delay-coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators with non-local and fractal connectivities. Apart from chimera states, a new regime of coexistence of slow and fast oscillations is found. An analytical explanation for the emergence of such coexisting partial synchronization patterns is given. Furthermore, we propose a control scheme for the number of fast and slow neurons in each layer. This article is part of the theme issue 'Nonlinear dynamics of delay systems'.

Synchronization of spiral wave patterns in two-layer 2D lattices of nonlocally coupled discrete oscillators

The paper describes the effects of mutual and external synchronization of spiral wave structures in two coupled two-dimensional lattices of coupled discrete-time oscillators. Each lattice is given by a 2D N×N network of nonlocally coupled Nekorkin maps which model neuronal activity. We show numerically that spiral wave structures, including spiral wave chimeras, can be synchronized and establish the mechanism of the synchronization scenario. Our numerical studies indicate that when the coupling strength between the lattices is sufficiently weak, only a certain part of oscillators of the interacting networks is imperfectly synchronized, while the other part demonstrates a partially synchronous behavior. If the spatiotemporal patterns in the lattices do not include incoherent cores, imperfect synchronization is realized for most oscillators above a certain value of the coupling strength. In the regime of spiral wave chimeras, the imperfect synchronization of all oscillators cannot be achieved even for sufficiently large values of the coupling strength.

Chimera patterns and subthreshold oscillations in two-dimensional networks of fractally coupled leaky integrate-and-fire neurons

We discuss the effects that fractal coupling induces on chimera states in a network of leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) oscillators arranged in a two-dimensional toroidal geometry. We provide evidence that the introduction of a hierarchical coupling topology in the form of a Sierpinski carpet gives rise to complex spatial structures such as multiple spots, stripe-and-grid chimeras, as well as traveling waves and subthreshold oscillations. Unlike in the case of typical nonlocal connectivity, when tuning the coupling strength to small positive values a spot chimera is formed with internal structure reminiscent of the fractal connectivity scheme. This is in line with previous results for one-dimensional networks, where hierarchical connectivity also induces chimeras with stratified spatial arrangements. In the case of negative coupling, cooperative effects produce subthreshold oscillating regions with traveling active islands crossing through them. Subthreshold oscillations and traveling waves are frequently reported in biological neural network experiments.

Weak multiplexing in neural networks: Switching between chimera and solitary states

We investigate spatio-temporal patterns occurring in a two-layer multiplex network of oscillatory FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons, where each layer is represented by a nonlocally coupled ring. We show that weak multiplexing, i.e., when the coupling between the layers is smaller than that within the layers, can have a significant impact on the dynamics of the neural network. We develop control strategies based on weak multiplexing and demonstrate how the desired state in one layer can be achieved without manipulating its parameters, but only by adjusting the other layer. We find that for coupling range mismatch, weak multiplexing leads to the appearance of chimera states with different shapes of the mean velocity profile for parameter ranges where they do not exist in isolation. Moreover, we show that introducing a coupling strength mismatch between the layers can suppress chimera states with one incoherent domain (one-headed chimeras) and induce various other regimes such as in-phase synchronization or two-headed chimeras. Interestingly, small intra-layer coupling strength mismatch allows to achieve solitary states throughout the whole network.

Chimera patterns in three-dimensional locally coupled systems

The coexistence of coherent and incoherent domains, namely the appearance of chimera states, has been studied extensively in many contexts of science and technology since the past decade, though the previous studies are mostly built on the framework of one-dimensional and two-dimensional interaction topologies. Recently, the emergence of such fascinating phenomena has been studied in a three-dimensional (3D) grid formation while considering only the nonlocal interaction. Here we study the emergence and existence of chimera patterns in a three-dimensional network of coupled Stuart-Landau limit-cycle oscillators and Hindmarsh-Rose neuronal oscillators with local (nearest-neighbor) interaction topology. The emergence of different types of spatiotemporal chimera patterns is investigated by taking two distinct nonlinear interaction functions. We provide appropriate analytical explanations in the 3D grid of the network formation and the corresponding numerical justifications are given. We extend our analysis on the basis of the Ott-Antonsen reduction approach in the case of Stuart-Landau oscillators containing infinite numbers of oscillators. Particularly, in the Hindmarsh-Rose neuronal network the existence of nonstationary chimera states is characterized by an instantaneous strength of incoherence and an instantaneous local order parameter. Besides, the condition for achieving exact neuronal synchrony is obtained analytically through a linear stability analysis. The different types of collective dynamics together with chimera states are mapped over a wide range of various parameter spaces.

Self-adaptation of chimera states

Chimera states in spatiotemporal dynamical systems have been investigated in physical, chemical, and biological systems, and have been shown to be robust against random perturbations. How do chimera states achieve their robustness? We uncover a self-adaptation behavior by which, upon a spatially localized perturbation, the coherent component of the chimera state spontaneously drifts to an optimal location as far away from the perturbation as possible, exposing only its incoherent component to the perturbation to minimize the disturbance. A systematic numerical analysis of the evolution of the spatiotemporal pattern of the chimera state towards the optimal stable state reveals an exponential relaxation process independent of the spatial location of the perturbation, implying that its effects can be modeled as restoring and damping forces in a mechanical system and enabling the articulation of a phenomenological model. Not only is the model able to reproduce the numerical results, it can also predict the trajectory of drifting. Our finding is striking as it reveals that, inherently, chimera states possess a kind of "intelligence" in achieving robustness through self-adaptation. The behavior can be exploited for the controlled generation of chimera states with their coherent component placed in any desired spatial region of the system.

Asymmetric cluster and chimera dynamics in globally coupled systems

We investigate the emergence of chimera and cluster states possessing asymmetric dynamics in globally coupled systems, where the trajectories of oscillators belonging to different subpopulations exhibit different dynamical properties. In an asymmetric chimera state, the trajectory of an element in the synchronized subset is stationary or periodic, while that of an oscillator in the desynchronized subset is chaotic. In an asymmetric cluster state, the periods of the trajectories of elements belonging to different clusters are different. We consider a network of globally coupled chaotic maps as a simple model for the occurrence of such asymmetric states in spatiotemporal systems. We employ the analogy between a single map subject to a constant drive and the effective local dynamics in the globally coupled map system to elucidate the mechanisms for the emergence of asymmetric chimera and cluster states in the latter system. By obtaining the dynamical responses of the driven map, we establish a condition for the equivalence of the dynamics of the driven map and that of the system of globally coupled maps. This condition is applied to predict parameter values and subset partitions for the formation of asymmetric cluster and chimera states in the globally coupled system.

Chimera states in brain networks: Empirical neural vs. modular fractal connectivity

Complex spatiotemporal patterns, called chimera states, consist of coexisting coherent and incoherent domains and can be observed in networks of coupled oscillators. The interplay of synchrony and asynchrony in complex brain networks is an important aspect in studies of both the brain function and disease. We analyse the collective dynamics of FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons in complex networks motivated by its potential application to epileptology and epilepsy surgery. We compare two topologies: an empirical structural neural connectivity derived from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and a mathematically constructed network with modular fractal connectivity. We analyse the properties of chimeras and partially synchronized states and obtain regions of their stability in the parameter planes. Furthermore, we qualitatively simulate the dynamics of epileptic seizures and study the influence of the removal of nodes on the network synchronizability, which can be useful for applications to epileptic surgery.

Chimera states in two-dimensional networks of locally coupled oscillators

Chimera state is defined as a mixed type of collective state in which synchronized and desynchronized subpopulations of a network of coupled oscillators coexist and the appearance of such anomalous behavior has strong connection to diverse neuronal developments. Most of the previous studies on chimera states are not extensively done in two-dimensional ensembles of coupled oscillators by taking neuronal systems with nonlinear coupling function into account while such ensembles of oscillators are more realistic from a neurobiological point of view. In this paper, we report the emergence and existence of chimera states by considering locally coupled two-dimensional networks of identical oscillators where each node is interacting through nonlinear coupling function. This is in contrast with the existence of chimera states in two-dimensional nonlocally coupled oscillators with rectangular kernel in the coupling function. We find that the presence of nonlinearity in the coupling function plays a key role to produce chimera states in two-dimensional locally coupled oscillators. We analytically verify explicitly in the case of a network of coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators in two dimensions that the obtained results using Ott-Antonsen approach and our analytical finding very well matches with the numerical results. Next, we consider another type of important nonlinear coupling function which exists in neuronal systems, namely chemical synaptic function, through which the nearest-neighbor (locally coupled) neurons interact with each other. It is shown that such synaptic interacting function promotes the emergence of chimera states in two-dimensional lattices of locally coupled neuronal oscillators. In numerical simulations, we consider two paradigmatic neuronal oscillators, namely Hindmarsh-Rose neuron model and Rulkov map for each node which exhibit bursting dynamics. By associating various spatiotemporal behaviors and snapshots at particular times, we study the chimera states in detail over a large range of coupling parameter. The existence of chimera states is confirmed by instantaneous angular frequency, order parameter and strength of incoherence.

Connecting the Kuramoto Model and the Chimera State

Since its discovery in 2002, the chimera state has frequently been described as a counterintuitive, puzzling phenomenon. The Kuramoto model, in contrast, has become a celebrated paradigm useful for understanding a range of phenomena related to phase transitions, synchronization, and network effects. Here we show that the chimera state can be understood as emerging naturally through a symmetry-breaking bifurcation from the Kuramoto model's partially synchronized state. Our analysis sheds light on recent observations of chimera states in laser arrays, chemical oscillators, and mechanical pendula.

Chimera states in multi-strain epidemic models with temporary immunity

We investigate a time-delayed epidemic model for multi-strain diseases with temporary immunity. In the absence of cross-immunity between strains, dynamics of each individual strain exhibit emergence and annihilation of limit cycles due to a Hopf bifurcation of the endemic equilibrium, and a saddle-node bifurcation of limit cycles depending on the time delay associated with duration of temporary immunity. Effects of all-to-all and non-local coupling topologies are systematically investigated by means of numerical simulations, and they suggest that cross-immunity is able to induce a diverse range of complex dynamical behaviors and synchronization patterns, including discrete traveling waves, solitary states, and amplitude chimeras. Interestingly, chimera states are observed for narrower cross-immunity kernels, which can have profound implications for understanding the dynamics of multi-strain diseases.

Chimeralike states in networks of bistable time-delayed feedback oscillators coupled via the mean field

We study the collective dynamics of oscillators in a network of identical bistable time-delayed feedback systems globally coupled via the mean field. The influence of delay and inertial properties of the mean field on the collective behavior of globally coupled oscillators is investigated. A variety of oscillation regimes in the network results from the presence of bistable states with substantially different frequencies in coupled oscillators. In the physical experiment and numerical simulation we demonstrate the existence of chimeralike states, in which some of the oscillators in the network exhibit synchronous oscillations, while all other oscillators remain asynchronous.

Temporal intermittency and the lifetime of chimera states in ensembles of nonlocally coupled chaotic oscillators

We describe numerical results for the dynamics of networks of nonlocally coupled chaotic maps. Switchings in time between amplitude and phase chimera states have been first established and studied. It has been shown that in autonomous ensembles, a nonstationary regime of switchings has a finite lifetime and represents a transient process towards a stationary regime of phase chimera. The lifetime of the nonstationary switching regime can be increased to infinity by applying short-term noise perturbations.

Basin stability for chimera states

Chimera states, namely complex spatiotemporal patterns that consist of coexisting domains of spatially coherent and incoherent dynamics, are investigated in a network of coupled identical oscillators. These intriguing spatiotemporal patterns were first reported in nonlocally coupled phase oscillators, and it was shown that such mixed type behavior occurs only for specific initial conditions in nonlocally and globally coupled networks. The influence of initial conditions on chimera states has remained a fundamental problem since their discovery. In this report, we investigate the robustness of chimera states together with incoherent and coherent states in dependence on the initial conditions. For this, we use the basin stability method which is related to the volume of the basin of attraction, and we consider nonlocally and globally coupled time-delayed Mackey-Glass oscillators as example. Previously, it was shown that the existence of chimera states can be characterized by mean phase velocity and a statistical measure, such as the strength of incoherence, by using well prepared initial conditions. Here we show further how the coexistence of different dynamical states can be identified and quantified by means of the basin stability measure over a wide range of the parameter space.

Synchronization patterns: from network motifs to hierarchical networks

We investigate complex synchronization patterns such as cluster synchronization and partial amplitude death in networks of coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators with fractal connectivities. The study of fractal or self-similar topology is motivated by the network of neurons in the brain. This fractal property is well represented in hierarchical networks, for which we present three different models. In addition, we introduce an analytical eigensolution method and provide a comprehensive picture of the interplay of network topology and the corresponding network dynamics, thus allowing us to predict the dynamics of arbitrarily large hierarchical networks simply by analysing small network motifs. We also show that oscillation death can be induced in these networks, even if the coupling is symmetric, contrary to previous understanding of oscillation death. Our results show that there is a direct correlation between topology and dynamics: hierarchical networks exhibit the corresponding hierarchical dynamics. This helps bridge the gap between mesoscale motifs and macroscopic networks.This article is part of the themed issue 'Horizons of cybernetical physics'.

Chimeras and clusters in networks of hyperbolic chaotic oscillators

We show that chimera states, where differentiated subsets of synchronized and desynchronized dynamical elements coexist, can emerge in networks of hyperbolic chaotic oscillators subject to global interactions. As local dynamics we employ Lozi maps, which possess hyperbolic chaotic attractors. We consider a globally coupled system of these maps and use two statistical quantities to describe its collective behavior: the average fraction of elements belonging to clusters and the average standard deviation of state variables. Chimera states, clusters, complete synchronization, and incoherence are thus characterized on the space of parameters of the system. We find that chimera states are related to the formation of clusters in the system. In addition, we show that chimera states arise for a sufficiently long range of interactions in nonlocally coupled networks of these maps. Our results reveal that, under some circumstances, hyperbolicity does not impede the formation of chimera states in networks of coupled chaotic systems, as it had been previously hypothesized.

Chimera states and the interplay between initial conditions and non-local coupling

Chimera states are complex spatio-temporal patterns that consist of coexisting domains of coherent and incoherent dynamics. We study chimera states in a network of non-locally coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators. We investigate the impact of initial conditions in combination with non-local coupling. Based on an analytical argument, we show how the coupling phase and the coupling strength are linked to the occurrence of chimera states, flipped profiles of the mean phase velocity, and the transition from a phase- to an amplitude-mediated chimera state.

Chimeralike states in two distinct groups of identical populations of coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators

We show the existence of chimeralike states in two distinct groups of identical populations of globally coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators. The existence of chimeralike states occurs only for a small range of frequency difference between the two populations, and these states disappear for an increase of mismatch between the frequencies. Here the chimeralike states are characterized by the synchronized oscillations in one population and desynchronized oscillations in another population. We also find that such states observed in two distinct groups of identical populations of nonlocally coupled oscillators are different from the above case in which coexisting domains of synchronized and desynchronized oscillations are observed in one population and the second population exhibits synchronized oscillations for spatially prepared initial conditions. Perturbation from such spatially prepared initial condition leads to the existence of imperfectly synchronized states. An imperfectly synchronized state represents the existence of solitary oscillators which escape from the synchronized group in population I and synchronized oscillations in population II. Also the existence of chimera state is independent of the increase of frequency mismatch between the populations. We also find the coexistence of different dynamical states with respect to different initial conditions, which causes multistability in the globally coupled system. In the case of nonlocal coupling, the system does not show multistability except in the cluster state region.

Occurrence and stability of chimera states in coupled externally excited oscillators

We studied the phenomenon of chimera states in networks of non-locally coupled externally excited oscillators. Units of the considered networks are bi-stable, having two co-existing attractors of different types (chaotic and periodic). The occurrence of chimeras is discussed, and the influence of coupling radius and coupling strength on their co-existence is analyzed (including typical bifurcation scenarios). We present a statistical analysis and investigate sensitivity of the probability of observing chimeras to the initial conditions and parameter values. Due to the fact that each unit of the considered networks is individually excited, we study the influence of the excitation failure on stability of observed states. Typical transitions are shown, and changes in network's dynamics are discussed. We analyze systems of coupled van der Pol-Duffing oscillators and the Duffing ones. Described chimera states are robust as they are observed in the wide regions of parameter values, as well as in other networks of coupled forced oscillators.

Introduction to focus issue: Patterns of network synchronization

The study of synchronization of coupled systems is currently undergoing a major surge fueled by recent discoveries of new forms of collective dynamics and the development of techniques to characterize a myriad of new patterns of network synchronization. This includes chimera states, phenomena determined by symmetry, remote synchronization, and asymmetry-induced synchronization. This Focus Issue presents a selection of contributions at the forefront of these developments, to which this introduction is intended to offer an up-to-date foundation.