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.
Taylor
Annette F
AF
School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom. A.F.Taylor@leeds.ac.uk
Kapetanopoulos
Panagiotis
P
Whitaker
Benjamin J
BJ
Toth
Rita
R
Bull
Larry
L
Tinsley
Mark R
MR