title: Synchronization states and multistability in a ring of periodic oscillators: experimentally variable coupling delays.
abstract: We experimentally study the complex dynamics of a unidirectionally coupled ring of four identical optoelectronic oscillators. The coupling between these systems is time-delayed in the experiment and can be varied over a wide range of delays. We observe that as the coupling delay is varied, the system may show different synchronization states, including complete isochronal synchrony, cluster synchrony, and two splay-phase states. We analyze the stability of these solutions through a master stability function approach, which we show can be effectively applied to all the different states observed in the experiment. Our analysis supports the experimentally observed multistability in the system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Engineering, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia 24450, USA.
authors.forename: Caitlin R S
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sorrentino
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Rajarshi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D001683:Biological Clocks; D008962:Models, Theoretical