Sync or anti-sync – dynamical pattern selection in coupled self-sustained oscillator systems

Abstract

The dynamics of similar, self-sustained oscillators coupled by a common platform exhibits fascinating collective behavior. Experiments performed with pendulum clocks and metronomes reported both the absence of synchronization, in-phase synchronization, antiphase synchronization, beat-death phenomenon, or even chaotic dynamics. Here we present a numerical study on two identical self-sustained oscillators placed on a common movable platform. As order parameter for synchronization we use the Pearson correlation coefficient between the oscillators coordinates. As a function of the relevant physical parameters of this system we reproduce all the experimentally reported dynamics. We provide conditions for obtaining stable and emergent in-phase or anti-phase synchronization.