Synchronization from disordered driving forces in arrays of coupled oscillators.
The effects of disorder in external forces on the dynamical behavior of coupled nonlinear oscillator networks are studied. When driven synchronously, i.e., all driving forces have the same phase, the networks display chaotic dynamics. We show that random phases in the driving forces result in regular, periodic network behavior. Intermediate phase disorder can produce network synchrony. Specifically, there is an optimal amount of phase disorder, which can induce the highest level of synchrony. These results demonstrate that the spatiotemporal structure of external influences can control chaos and lead to synchronization in nonlinear systems.
Department of Physics, Campus Box 1105, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130-4899, USA.
Sebastian F
SF
Brandt
Babette K
BK
Dellen
Ralf
R
Wessel
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*