Effects of noise on synchronization phenomena exhibited by mean-field coupled limit cycle oscillators with two natural frequencies

Relationships between inter-cluster synchronization phenomena and external noise are studied on the basis of noise level-free analysis. We consider a mean-field model of ensembles of coupled limit cycle oscillators with two natural frequencies, which are subjected to external white Gaussian noise. Using a nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation approach, we analytically derive the order parameter equations associated with nonequilibrium phase transitions in the thermodynamic limit. Solving them numerically, we systematically investigate the model parameter dependences of the appearance and disappearance of synchronization phenomena. Demonstrating bifurcations from chaotic attractors in the deterministic limit to limit cycle attractors with increasing noise intensity, we confirm the occurrence of nonequilibrium phase transitions including inter-cluster synchronization induced by external white Gaussian noise. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.