Chimera states: coexistence of coherence and incoherence in networks of coupled oscillators

Abstract

A chimera state is a spatio-temporal pattern in a network of identical\ncoupled oscillators in which synchronous and asynchronous oscillation coexist.\nThis state of broken symmetry, which usually coexists with a stable spatially\nsymmetric state, has intrigued the nonlinear dynamics community since its\ndiscovery in the early 2000s. Recent experiments have led to increasing\ninterest in the origin and dynamics of these states. Here we review the history\nof research on chimera states and highlight major advances in understanding\ntheir behaviour.\n