Amplitude chimeras and chimera death in dynamical networks

TL;DR

This paper explores amplitude chimera states and introduces a new pattern called chimera death in networks of Stuart-Landau oscillators, revealing how coupling influences these complex spatio-temporal dynamics.

Contribution

It identifies amplitude chimeras and introduces chimera death, a novel pattern combining features of chimera states and oscillation death, influenced by network topology and coupling.

Findings

Amplitude chimeras are observed in nonlocal oscillator networks.

Chimera death emerges as a stationary state with coexisting coherent and incoherent regions.

Transition scenarios from amplitude chimera to chimera death are characterized.

Abstract

We find chimera states with respect to amplitude dynamics in a network of Stuart-Landau oscillators. These partially coherent and partially incoherent spatio-temporal patterns appear due to the interplay of nonlocal network topology and symmetry-breaking coupling. As the coupling range is increased, the oscillations are quenched, amplitude chimeras disappear and the network enters a symmetry-breaking stationary state. This particular regime is a novel pattern which we call chimera death. It is characterized by the coexistence of spatially coherent and incoherent inhomogeneous steady states and therefore combines the features of chimera state and oscillation death. Additionally, we show two different transition scenarios from amplitude chimera to chimera death. Moreover, for amplitude chimeras we uncover the mechanism of transition towards in-phase synchronized regime and discuss the role of initial conditions.