Phase synchronization and topological defects in inhomogeneous media

Describing synchronization and topological excitations in arrays of magnetic spin torque oscillators through the Kuramoto model

The collective dynamics in populations of magnetic spin torque oscillators (STO) is an intensely studied topic in modern magnetism. Here, we show that arrays of STO coupled via dipolar fields can be modeled using a variant of the Kuramoto model, a well-known mathematical model in non-linear dynamics. By investigating the collective dynamics in arrays of STO we find that the synchronization in such systems is a finite size effect and show that the critical coupling-for a complete synchronized state-scales with the number of oscillators. Using realistic values of the dipolar coupling strength between STO we show that this imposes an upper limit for the maximum number of oscillators that can be synchronized. Further, we show that the lack of long range order is associated with the formation of topological defects in the phase field similar to the two-dimensional XY model of ferromagnetism. Our results shed new light on the synchronization of STO, where controlling the mutual synchronization of several oscillators is considered crucial for applications.

Vortices and the entrainment transition in the two-dimensional Kuramoto model

We study synchronization in the two-dimensional lattice of coupled phase oscillators with random intrinsic frequencies. When the coupling K is larger than a threshold K{E} , there is a macroscopic cluster of frequency-synchronized oscillators. We explain why the macroscopic cluster disappears at K{E} . We view the system in terms of vortices, since cluster boundaries are delineated by the motion of these topological defects. In the entrained phase (K>K{E}) , vortices move in fixed paths around clusters, while in the unentrained phase (K<K{E}) , vortices sometimes wander off. These deviant vortices are responsible for the disappearance of the macroscopic cluster. The regularity of vortex motion is determined by whether clusters behave as single effective oscillators. The unentrained phase is also characterized by time-dependent cluster structure and the presence of chaos. Thus, the entrainment transition is actually an order-chaos transition. We present an analytical argument for the scaling K{E}∼K{L} for small lattices, where K{L} is the threshold for phase locking. By also deriving the scaling K{L}∼log N , we thus show that K{E}∼log N for small N , in agreement with numerics. In addition, we show how to use the linearized model to predict where vortices are generated.

Brain-mind operational architectonics imaging: technical and methodological aspects

This review paper deals with methodological and technical foundations of the Operational Architectonics framework of brain and mind functioning. This theory provides a framework for mapping and understanding important aspects of the brain mechanisms that constitute perception, cognition, and eventually consciousness. The methods utilized within Operational Architectonics framework allow analyzing with an incredible detail the operational behavior of local neuronal assemblies and their joint activity in the form of unified and metastable operational modules, which constitute the whole hierarchy of brain operations, operations of cognition and phenomenal consciousness.

Geometric framework for phase synchronization in coupled noisy nonlinear systems

A geometric approach is introduced for understanding the phenomenon of phase synchronization in coupled nonlinear systems in the presence of additive noise. We show that the emergence of cooperative behavior through a change of stability via a Hopf bifurcation entails the spontaneous appearance of a gauge structure in the system, arising from the evolution of the slow dynamics, but induced by the fast variables. The conditions for the oscillators to be synchronised in phase are obtained. The role of weak noise appears to be to drive the system towards a more synchronized behavior. Our analysis provides a framework to explain recent experimental observations on noise-induced phase synchronization in coupled nonlinear systems.

Phase synchronization of a pair of spiral waves

The interaction of a pair of spiral waves with different independent rotation frequencies is studied. In a very large frequency mismatch searching region, we observe three different pattern formation phenomena: (a) phase-synchronization-induced invasion under a relatively small frequency mismatch, i.e., the spiral wave with slower frequency (longer period) is swept away by a traveling wave, which is induced and phase synchronized by the faster spiral wave; (b) the coexistence of two spiral waves at sufficiently large parameter mismatch; and (c) an intermediate state, a non-phase-synchronous invasion, that is, similarly the slower spiral wave is swept by an approximate planar wave, whose frequency, however, is intermediate between those of the faster and slower waves. A point-source model is studied to analyze all these phenomena in a unified way.

Enhancement of GABA-related signalling is associated with increase of functional connectivity in human cortex

Structural or operational synchrony analysis with EEG was conducted in order to detect functional interaction between cortical areas during an enhanced inhibition induced by the GABAergic agonist lorazepam in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in eight healthy human subjects. Specifically, we investigated whether a neuronal inhibitory system in the brain mediates functional decoupling of cortical areas. Single-dose lorazepam administration resulted in a widespread increase in the inter-area functional connectivity and an increase in the strength of functional long-range and interhemispheric connections. These results suggest that inhibition can be an efficient mechanism for synchronization of large neuronal populations.

Rapid convergence of time-averaged frequency in phase synchronized systems

Numerical and experimental evidences are presented to show that many phase synchronized systems of nonidentical chaotic oscillators, where the chaotic state is reached through a period-doubling cascade, show rapid convergence of the time-averaged frequency. The speed of convergence toward the natural frequency scales as the inverse of the measurement period. The results also suggest an explanation for why such chaotic oscillators can be phase synchronized.