Chimeras in globally coupled oscillatory systems: From ensembles of oscillators to spatially continuous media

TL;DR

This paper investigates complex chimera states in globally coupled oscillatory media, revealing symmetry-breaking transitions and demonstrating that diffusional coupling is not essential for these phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces new insights into the formation of chimera states in globally coupled systems and explores the nature of localized turbulence.

Findings

Identification of two types of cluster states with symmetry-breaking transitions

Chimera states can arise without diffusional coupling

Localized turbulence may be related to chimera phenomena

Abstract

We study an oscillatory medium with a nonlinear global coupling that gives rise to a harmonic mean-field oscillation with constant amplitude and frequency. Two types of cluster states are found, each undergoing a symmetry-breaking transition towards a related chimera state. We demonstrate that the diffusional coupling is non-essential for these complex dynamics. Furthermore, we investigate localized turbulence and discuss whether it can be categorized as a chimera state.