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Symmetries are an essential feature of complex networks as they regulate how the graph collective dynamics organizes into clustered states. We here show how to control network symmetries, and how to enforce patterned states of synchronization with nodes clustered in a desired way. Our approach consists of perturbing the original network connectivity, either by adding new edges or by adding/removing links together with modifying their weights. By solving suitable optimization problems, we furthermore guarantee that changes made on the existing topology are minimal. The conditions for the stability of the enforced pattern are derived for the general case, and the performance of the method is illustrated with paradigmatic examples. Our results are relevant to all the practical situations in which coordination of the networked systems into diverse groups may be desirable, such as for teams of robots, unmanned autonomous vehicles, power grids and central pattern generators.

All interesting and fascinating collective properties of a complex system arise from the intricate way in which its components interact. Various systems in physics, biology, social sciences and engineering have been successfully modelled as networks of coupled dynamical systems, where the graph links describe pairwise interactions. This is, however, too strong a limitation, as recent studies have revealed that higher-order many-body interactions are present in social groups, ecosystems and in the human brain, and they actually affect the emergent dynamics of all these systems. Here, we introduce a general framework that allows to study coupled dynamical systems accounting for the precise microscopic structure of their interactions at any possible order. We consider the most general ensemble of identical dynamical systems, organized on the nodes of a simplicial complex, and interacting through synchronization-non-invasive coupling function. The simplicial complex can be of any dimension, meaning that it can account, at the same time, for pairwise interactions, three-body interactions and so on. In such a broad context, we show that complete synchronization exists as an invariant solution, and we give the necessary condition for it to be observed as a stable state in terms of a Master Stability Function. This generalizes the existing results valid for pairwise interactions (i.e. graphs) to the case of complex systems with the most general possible architecture. Moreover, we show how the approach can be simplified for specific, yet frequently occurring, instances, and we verify all our theoretical predictions in synthetic and real-world systems. Given the completely general character of the method proposed, our results contribute to the theory of dynamical systems with many-body interactions and can find applications in an extremely wide range of practical cases.

Relay (or remote) synchronization between two not directly connected oscillators in a network is an important feature allowing distant coordination. In this work, we report a systematic study of this phenomenon in multiplex networks, where inter-layer synchronization occurs between distant layers mediated by a relay layer that acts as a transmitter. We show that this transmission can be extended to higher order relay configurations, provided symmetry conditions are preserved. By first order perturbative analysis, we identify the dynamical and topological dependencies of relay synchronization in a multiplex. We find that the relay synchronization threshold is considerably reduced in a multiplex configuration, and that such synchronous state is mostly supported by the lower degree nodes of the outer layers, while hubs can be de-multiplexed without affecting overall coherence. Finally, we experimentally validated the analytical and numerical findings by means of a multiplex of three layers of electronic circuits.the analytical and numerical findings by means of a multiplex of three layers of electronic circuits.

Inter-layer synchronization is a dynamical state occurring in multi-layer networks composed of identical nodes. The state corresponds to have all layers synchronized, with nodes in each layer which do not necessarily evolve in unison. So far, the study of such a solution has been restricted to the case in which all layers had an identical connectivity structure. When layers are not identical, the inter-layer synchronous state is no longer a stable solution of the system. Nevertheless, when layers differ in just a few links, an approximate treatment is still feasible, and allows one to gather information on whether and how the system may wander around an inter-layer synchronous configuration. We report the details of an approximate analytical treatment for a two-layer multiplex, which results in the introduction of an extra inertial term accounting for structural differences. Numerical validation of the predictions highlights the usefulness of our approach, especially for small or moderate topological differences in the intra-layer coupling. Moreover, we identify a non-trivial relationship between the betweenness centrality of the missing links and the intra-layer coupling strength. Finally, by the use of two multiplexed identical layers of electronic circuits in a chaotic regime, we study the loss of inter-layer synchronization as a function of the betweenness centrality of the removed links.

From rhythmic physiological processes to the collective behaviors of technological and natural networks, coherent phases of interacting oscillators are the foundation of the events' coordination leading a system to behave cooperatively. We unveil the existence of a new of such states, occurring in globally coupled nonidentical oscillators in the proximity of the point where the transition from the system's incoherent to coherent phase converts from explosive to continuous. In such a state, oscillators form quantized clusters, where they are neither phase- nor frequency-locked. Oscillators' instantaneous speeds are different within the clusters, but they form a characteristic cusped pattern and, more importantly, they behave periodically in time so that their average values are the same. Given its intrinsic specular nature with respect to the recently introduced Chimera states, the phase is termed the {\it Bellerophon} state. We provide analytical and numerical description of the microscopic and macroscopic details of {\it Bellerophon} states, thus furnishing practical hints on how to seek for the new phase in a variety of experimental and natural systems.

Synchronization processes in populations of identical networked oscillators are in the focus of intense studies in physical, biological, technological and social systems. Here we analyze the stability of the synchronization of a network of oscillators coupled through different variables. Under the assumption of an equal topology of connections for all variables, the master stability function formalism allows assessing and quantifying the stability properties of the synchronization manifold when the coupling is transferred from one variable to another. We report on the existence of an optimal coupling transference that maximizes the stability of the synchronous state in a network of R\"ossler-like oscillators. Finally, we design an experimental implementation (using nonlinear electronic circuits) which grounds the robustness of the theoretical predictions against parameter mismatches, as well as against intrinsic noise of the system.

Two decades ago, a phenomenon resembling Landau damping was described in the synchronization of globally coupled oscillators: the evidence of a regime where the order parameter decays when linear theory predicts neutral stability for the incoherent state. We here show that such an effect is far more generic, as soon as phase oscillators couple to their mean field according to their natural frequencies, being then grouped into two distinct populations of conformists and contrarians. We report the analytical solution of this latter situation, which allows determining the critical coupling strength and the stability of the incoherent state, together with extensive numerical simulations that fully support all theoretical predictions. The relevance of our results is discussed in relationship to collective phenomena occurring in polarized social systems.

Maximally synchronizable networks (MSNs) are acyclic directed networks that maximize synchronizability. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of transforming networks of coupled oscillators into their corresponding MSNs. By tuning the weights of any given network so as to reach the lowest possible eigenratio $\lambda_N/\lambda_2$, the synchronized state is guaranteed to be maintained across the longest possible range of coupling strengths. We check the robustness of the resulting MSNs with an experimental implementation of a network of nonlinear electronic oscillators and study the propagation of the synchronization errors through the network. Importantly, a method to study the effects of topological uncertainties on the synchronizability is proposed and explored both theoretically and experimentally.

We propose a methodology to analyze synchronization in an ensemble of diffusively coupled multistable systems. First, we study how two bidirectionally coupled multistable oscillators synchronize and demonstrate the high complexity of the basins of attraction of coexisting synchronous states. Then, we propose the use of the Master Stability Function (MSF) for multistable systems to describe synchronizability, even during intermittent behaviour, of a network of multistable oscillators, regardless of both the number of coupled oscillators and the interaction structure. In particular, we show that a network of multistable elements is synchronizable for a given range of topology spectra and coupling strengths, irrespective of specific attractor dynamics to which different oscillators are locked, and even in the presence of intermittency. Finally, we experimentally demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the MSF approach with a network of multistable electronic circuits., Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, submitted for publication

We introduce a condition for an ensemble of networked phase oscillators to feature an abrupt, first-order phase transition from an unsynchronized to a synchronized state. This condition is met in a very wide spectrum of situations, and for various oscillators' initial frequency distributions. We show that the occurrence of such transitions is always accompanied by the spontaneous emergence of frequency-degree correlations in random network architectures. We also discuss ways to relax the condition, and to further extend the possibility for the first-order transition to occur, and illustrate how to engineer magnetic-like states of synchronization. Our findings thus indicate how to search for abrupt transitions in real-world applications., Comment: (02Oct12) Submitted to Phys Rev Lett

Critical phenomena in complex networks, and the emergence of dynamical abrupt transitions in the macroscopic state of the system are currently a subject of the outmost interest. We report evidence of an explosive phase synchronization in networks of chaotic units. Namely, by means of both extensive simulations of networks made up of chaotic units, and validation with an experiment of electronic circuits in a star configuration, we demonstrate the existence of a first order transition towards synchronization of the phases of the networked units. Our findings constitute the first prove of this kind of synchronization in practice, thus opening the path to its use in real-world applications., Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett. in press

We consider a type of intermittent behavior that occurs as the result of the interplay between dynamical mechanisms giving rise to type-I intermittency and random dynamics. We analytically deduce the laws for the distribution of the laminar phases, with the law for the mean length of the laminar phases versus the critical parameter deduced earlier [PRE 62 (2000) 6304] being the corollary fact of the developed theory. We find a very good agreement between the theoretical predictions and the data obtained by means of both the experimental study and numerical calculations. We discuss also how this mechanism is expected to take place in other relevant physical circumstances., Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, 30 cites

A new dynamical clustering algorithm for the identification of modules in complex networks has been recently introduced \cite{BILPR}. In this paper we present a modified version of this algorithm based on a system of chaotic Roessler oscillators and we test its sensitivity on real and computer generated networks with a well known modular structure., Comment: 9 pages, Paper presented at the intern. conf. CTNEXT07, satellite of STAPHYS23, 1-5 july 2007, Catania, Italy http://www.ct.infn.it/ctnext07 Available online at http://proceedings.aip.org/proceedings/confproceed/965.jsp

A new type of intermittent behavior is described to occur near the boundary of phase synchronization regime of coupled chaotic oscillators. This mechanism, called ring intermittency, arises for sufficiently high initial mismatches in the frequencies of the two coupled systems. The laws for both the distribution and the mean length of the laminar phases versus the coupling strength are analytically deduced. A very good agreement between the theoretical results and the numerically calculated data is shown. We discuss how this mechanism is expected to take place in other relevant physical circumstances., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures

We demonstrate that a unidirectional coupling between a pattern forming system and its replica induces complete synchronization of the slave to the master system onto a spatiotemporal chaotic state.

We demonstrate targeting and control over spatiotemporal chaos in an optical feedback loop experiment. Different stationary target patterns are stabilized in real-time by means of a two dimensional space extended perturbation field driven by an interfaced computer and applied in real-space to a liquid crystal display device inserted within a control optical loop. The flexibility of the system in switching between different target patterns is also demonstrated.

We introduce a technique to detect and quantify local functional dependencies between coupled chaotic systems. The method estimates the fraction of locally syncronized configurations, in a pair of signals with an arbitrary state of global syncronization. Application to a pair of interacting Rossler oscillators shows that our method is capable to quantify the number of dynamical configurations where a local prediction task is possible, also in absence of global synchronization features.

We investigate the response of an open chain of bidirectionally coupled chaotic homoclinic systems to external periodic stimuli. When one end of the chain is driven by a periodic signal, the system propagates a phase synchronization state in a certain range of coupling strengths and external frequencies. When two simultaneous forcings are applied at different points of the array, a rich phenomenology of stable competitive states is observed, including temporal alternation and spatial coexistence synchronization domains., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett

We numerically investigate the dynamics of a closed chain of unidirectionally coupled oscillators in a regime of homoclinic chaos. The emerging synchronization regimes show analogies with the experimental behavior of a single chaotic laser subjected to a delayed feedback, Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PRE

In this work we describe a simple method of encoding information at real time in the inter-spike intervals of a homoclinic chaotic system. This has been experimentally tested by means of an instantaneous synchronization between the laser intensity of a CO2 laser with feedback in the regime of Sil'nikov chaos and an external pulsed signal of very low power. The information is previously encoded in the temporal intervals between consecutive pulses of the external signal. The value of the inter-pulse intervals is varied each time a new pulse is generated., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett