Exotic states in a simple network of nanoelectromechanical oscillators

TLDR

Synchronization of oscillators, a phenomenon found in many natural and engineered systems, is usually described by a first‑order phase model with simplified dynamics. The study investigates the dynamics of a ring of quasi‑sinusoidal nanoelectromechanical oscillators at and beyond first order. Using theory and experiment, the authors show that exotic synchronization states arise from complex interactions in networks with simple linear nearest‑neighbor coupling. They discovered exotic synchronization states—including weak chimeras, decoupled states, traveling waves, and inhomogeneous synchronized states—beyond first order, underscoring the dynamical richness of systems with weak nonlinearities and local interactions.

Abstract

Synchronization of oscillators, a phenomenon found in a wide variety of natural and engineered systems, is typically understood through a reduction to a first-order phase model with simplified dynamics. Here, by exploiting the precision and flexibility of nanoelectromechanical systems, we examined the dynamics of a ring of quasi-sinusoidal oscillators at and beyond first order. Beyond first order, we found exotic states of synchronization with highly complex dynamics, including weak chimeras, decoupled states, traveling waves, and inhomogeneous synchronized states. Through theory and experiment, we show that these exotic states rely on complex interactions emerging out of networks with simple linear nearest-neighbor coupling. This work provides insight into the dynamical richness of complex systems with weak nonlinearities and local interactions.