Chimera states and the interplay between initial conditions and non-local coupling

TL;DR

This paper explores how initial conditions and non-local coupling influence the emergence and characteristics of chimera states in networks of Stuart-Landau oscillators, revealing key parameters that govern their formation.

Contribution

It provides an analytical framework linking coupling phase and strength to chimera states, including transitions and profile flips, in non-locally coupled oscillators.

Findings

Coupling phase and strength determine chimera occurrence.

Initial conditions significantly affect chimera profiles.

Transitions between phase- and amplitude-mediated chimeras are characterized.

Abstract

Chimera states are complex spatio-temporal patterns that consist of coexisting domains of coherent and incoherent dynamics. We study chimera states in a network of non-locally coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators. We investigate the impact of initial conditions in combination with non-local coupling. Based on an analytical argument, we show how the coupling phase and the coupling strength are linked to the occurrence of chimera states, flipped profiles of the mean phase velocity, and the transition from a phase- to an amplitude-mediated chimera state.