Collective dynamics in two populations of noisy oscillators with asymmetric interactions

Abstract: We study two intertwined globally coupled networks of noisy Kuramoto phase oscillators that have the same natural frequency, but differ in their perception of the mean field and their contribution to it. Such a give-and-take mechanism is given by asymmetric in- and out-coupling strengths which can be both positive and negative. We uncover in this minimal network of networks intriguing patterns of discordance, where the ensemble splits into two clusters separated by a constant phase lag. If it differs from $\pi$, then traveling wave solutions emerge. We observe a second route to traveling waves via traditional one-cluster states. Bistability is found between the various collective states. Analytical results and bifurcation diagrams are derived with a reduced system.