Multi-cluster dynamics in coupled phase oscillator networks

Abstract: In this paper we examine robust clustering behaviour with multiple nontrivial clusters for identically and globally coupled phase oscillators. These systems are such that the dynamics is completely determined by the number of oscillators N and a single scalar function $g(\varphi)$ (the coupling function). Previous work has shown that (a) any clustering can stably appear via choice of a suitable coupling function and (b) open sets of coupling functions can generate heteroclinic network attractors between cluster states of saddle type, though there seem to be no examples where saddles with more than two nontrivial clusters are involved. In this work we clarify the relationship between the coupling function and the dynamics. We focus on cases where the clusters are inequivalent in the sense of not being related by a temporal symmetry, and demonstrate that there are coupling functions that give robust heteroclinic networks between periodic states involving three or more nontrivial clusters. We consider an example for N=6 oscillators where the clustering is into three inequivalent clusters. We also discuss some aspects of the bifurcation structure for periodic multi-cluster states and show that the transverse stability of inequivalent clusters can, to a large extent, be varied independently of the tangential stability.