Geometry of heteroclinic cascades in scalar parabolic differential equations

We investigate the geometrical properties of the attractor for semilinear scalar parabolic PDEs on a bounded interval with Neumann boundary conditions. Using the nodal properties of the stationary solutions which are determined by an ordinary boundary value problem, we obtain crucial information about the long-time behavior for the full PDE. Especially, we prove a criterion for the intersection of strong- stable and unstable manifolds in the finite dimensional Morse-Smale flow on the attractor

The Turing bifurcation in network systems: Collective patterns and single differentiated nodes

We study the emergence of patterns in a diffusively coupled network that undergoes a Turing instability. Our main focus is the emergence of stable solutions with a single differentiated node in systems with large and possibly irregular network topology. Based on a mean-field approach, we study the bifurcations of such solutions for varying system parameters and varying degree of the differentiated node. Such solutions appear typically before the onset of Turing instability and provide the basis for the complex scenario of multistability and hysteresis that can be observed in such systems. Moreover, we discuss the appearance of stable collective patterns and present a codimension-two bifurcation that organizes the interplay between collective patterns and patterns with single differentiated nodes

A sequence of order relations, encoding heteroclinic connections in scalar parabolic PDE

We address the problem of heteroclinic connections in the attractor of dissipative scalar semilinear parabolic equations ut = uxx + ƒ (x, u, ux), 0 < x < 1 on a bounded interval with Neumann conditions. Introducing a sequence of order relations, we prove a new and simple criterion for the existence of heteroclinic connections, using only information about nodal properties of solutions to the stationary ODE problem. This result allows also for a complete classiffication of possible attractors in terms of the permutation of the equilibria, given by their order at the two boundaries of the interval

Oscillatory instability in systems with delay

Any biological or physical system, which incorporates delayed feedback or delayed coupling, can be modeled by a dynamical system with delayed argument. We describe a standard oscillatory destabilization mechanism, which occurs in such systems

Bifurcations in the Sakaguchi--Kuramoto model

We analyze the Sakaguchi-Kuramoto model of coupled phase oscillators in a continuum limit given by a frequency dependent version of the Ott-Antonsen system. Based on a self-consistency equation, we provide a detailed analysis of partially synchronized states, their bifurcation from the completely incoherent state and their stability properties. We use this method to analyze the bifurcations for various types of frequency distributions and explain the appearance of non-universal synchronization transitions

Slow motion of quasi-stationary multi-pulse solutions by semistrong interaction in reaction-diffusion systems

In this paper, we study a class of singularly perturbed reaction-diffusion systems, which exhibit under certain conditions slowly varying multi-pulse solutions. This class contains among others the Gray-Scott and several versions of the Gierer-Meinhardt model. We first use a classical singular perturbation approach for the stationary problem and determine in this way a manifold of quasi-stationary $N$-pulse solutions. Then, in the context of the time-dependent problem, we derive an equation for the leading order approximation of the slow motion along this manifold. We apply this technique to study 1-pulse and 2-pulse solutions for classical and modified Gierer-Meinhardt system. In particular, we are able to treat different types of boundary conditions, calculate folds of the slow manifold, leading to slow-fast motion, and to identify symmetry breaking singularities in the manifold of 2-pulse solutions

Slow motion of quasi-stationary multi-pulse solutions by semistrong interaction in reaction-diffusion systems

In this paper, we study a class of singularly perturbed reaction-diffusion systems, which exhibit under certain conditions slowly varying multi-pulse solutions. This class contains among others the Gray-Scott and several versions of the Gierer-Meinhardt model. We first use a classical singular perturbation approach for the stationary problem and determine in this way a manifold of quasi-stationary $N$-pulse solutions. Then, in the context of the time-dependent problem, we derive an equation for the leading order approximation of the slow motion along this manifold. We apply this technique to study 1-pulse and 2-pulse solutions for classical and modified Gierer-Meinhardt system. In particular, we are able to treat different types of boundary conditions, calculate folds of the slow manifold, leading to slow-fast motion, and to identify symmetry breaking singularities in the manifold of 2-pulse solutions

Chimera states are chaotic transients

Spatiotemporal chaos and turbulence are universal concepts for the explanation of irregular behavior in various physical systems. Recently, a remarkable new phenomenon, called "chimera states", has been described, where in a spatially homogeneous system regions of irregular incoherent motion coexist with regular synchronized motion, forming a self organized pattern in a population of nonlocally coupled oscillators. Whereas most of the previous studies of chimera states focused their attention to the case of large numbers of oscillators employing the thermodynamic limit of infinitely many oscillators, we investigate here the properties of chimera states in populations of finite size using concepts from deterministic chaos. Our calculations of the Lyapunov spectrum show that the incoherent motion, which is described in the thermodynamic limit as a stationary behavior, in finite size systems appears as weak spatially extensive chaos. Moreover, for sufficiently small populations the chimera states reveal their transient nature: after a certain time-span we observe a sudden collapse of the chimera pattern and a transition to the completely coherent state. Our results indicate that chimera states can be considered as chaotic transients, showing the same properties as type-II supertransients in coupled map lattices

Describing a class of global attractors via symbol sequences

We study a singularly perturbed scalar reaction-diffusion equation on a bounded interval with a spatially inhomogeneous bistable nonlinearity. For certain nonlinearities, which are piecewise constant in space on 푘 subintervals, it is possible to characterize all stationary solutions for small ε by means of sequences of 푘 symbols, indicating the behavior of the solution in each subinterval. Determining also Morse-indices and zero numbers of the equilibria in terms of the symbol sequences, we are able to give a criterion for heteroclinic connections and a description of the associated global attractor for all 푘

Regular and irregular patterns of self-localized excitation in arrays of coupled phase oscillators

We study a system of phase oscillators with nonlocal coupling in a ring that supports self-organized patterns of coherence and incoherence, called chimera states. Introducing a global feedback loop, connecting the phase lag to the order parameter, we can observe chimera states also for systems with a small number of oscillators. Numerical simulations show a huge variety of regular and irregular patterns composed of localized phase slipping events of single oscillators. Using methods of classical finite dimensional chaos and bifurcation theory, we can identify the emergence of chaotic chimera states as a result of transitions to chaos via period doubling cascades, torus breakup, and intermittency. We can explain the observed phenomena by a mechanism of self-modulated excitability in a discrete excitable medium.Comment: postprint, as accepted in Chaos, 10 pages, 7 figure