Nonlinearity of local dynamics promotes multi-chimeras.
Chimera states are complex spatio-temporal patterns in which domains of synchronous and asynchronous dynamics coexist in coupled systems of oscillators. We examine how the character of the individual elements influences chimera states by studying networks of nonlocally coupled Van der Pol oscillators. Varying the bifurcation parameter of the Van der Pol system, we can interpolate between regular sinusoidal and strongly nonlinear relaxation oscillations and demonstrate that more pronounced nonlinearity induces multi-chimera states with multiple incoherent domains. We show that the stability regimes for multi-chimera states and the mean phase velocity profiles of the oscillators change significantly as the nonlinearity becomes stronger. Furthermore, we reveal the influence of time delay on chimera patterns.
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
Iryna
I
Omelchenko
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
Anna
A
Zakharova
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
Philipp
P
Hövel
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
Julien
J
Siebert
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstraße 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
Eckehard
E
Schöll
D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis; D013997:Time Factors