Amplitude death phenomena in delay-coupled Hamiltonian systems

Abstract

Hamiltonian systems, when coupled via time-delayed interactions, do not remain conservative. In the uncoupled system, the motion can typically be periodic, quasiperiodic, or chaotic. This changes drastically when delay coupling is introduced since now attractors can be created in the phase space. In particular, for sufficiently strong coupling there can be amplitude death (AD), namely, the stabilization of point attractors and the cessation of oscillatory motion. The approach to the state of AD or oscillation death is also accompanied by a phase flip in the transient dynamics. A discussion and analysis of the phenomenology is made through an application to the specific cases of harmonic as well as anharmonic coupled oscillators, in particular the Hénon-Heiles system.