Synchronization of phase oscillators with coupling mediated by a diffusing substance

We investigate the transition to phase and frequency synchronization in a one-dimensional chain of phase oscillator “cells” where the coupling is mediated by the local concentration of a chemical which can diffuse in the inter-oscillator medium and it is both secreted and absorbed by the oscillator “cells”, influencing their dynamical behavior. This coupling has the advantage of having a tunable parameter which makes it possible to pass continuously from a global (all-to-all) to a local (nearest-neighbor) coupling form. We have verified that synchronous behavior depends on the coupling strength and coupling length.