Symmetry-broken states on networks of coupled oscillators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that networks of identical coupled oscillators can exhibit stable symmetry-broken states, similar to chimera states, challenging the assumption that steady states reflect network symmetries.

Contribution

It reveals the existence of persistent symmetry-broken states in identical oscillator networks, expanding understanding of possible dynamical behaviors beyond symmetric solutions.

Findings

Symmetry-broken states can coexist with symmetric states in oscillator networks.

These states are analogous to chimera states observed in coupled oscillators.

Symmetry-breaking occurs despite identical coupling and oscillator properties.

Abstract

When identical oscillators are coupled together in a network, dynamical steady states are often assumed to reflect network symmetries. Here we show that alternative persistent states may also exist that break the symmetries of the underlying coupling network. We further show that these symmetry-broken coexistent states are analogous to those dubbed "chimera states," which can occur when identical oscillators are coupled to one another in identical ways.