2005/12/21 by Sebastian F. Brandt, Babette Dellen, Babette K. Dellen +2
Computer Science · Neuroscience · Physics and Astronomy · #Neural dynamics and brain function #Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation #nlin.CD #stochastic dynamics and bifurcation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.96.034104
4 pages, 4 figures
arxiv created 2005/12/21 · openalex publication_date 2006/01/26 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The effects of disorder in external forces on the dynamical behavior of coupled nonlinear oscillator networks are studied. When driven synchronously, i.e., all driving forces have the same phase, the networks display chaotic dynamics. We show that random phases in the driving forces result in regular, periodic network behavior. Intermediate phase disorder can produce network synchrony. Specifically, there is an optimal amount of phase disorder, which can induce the highest level of synchrony. These results demonstrate that the spatiotemporal structure of external influences can control chaos and lead to synchronization in nonlinear systems.