Work

Effect of diversity distribution symmetry on global oscillations of networks of excitable units

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We show that the degree of symmetry of the diversity distribution is the key determinant of global oscillations in coupled networks of FitzHugh-Nagumo units, used as prototypical examples of excitable systems. In these ensembles, symmetric diversity reliably yields resonant collective oscillations-even when all units are individually excitable-whereas asymmetric diversity suppresses them. Two symmetry-based metrics predict the presence or absence of global oscillations from the distribution alone. A simple mean-field mechanism, corroborated by a minimal two-unit analysis, explains how symmetry creates a landscape that supports limit cycles. These results identify diversity distribution symmetry as a key mechanism for emergent synchronization in excitable media.

Source: Physical review. E

DOI: 10.1103/lvb3-dc11

Authors: Stefano Scialla, Marco Patriarca, Els Heinsalu, Marius E. Yamakou, Julyan H. E. Cartwright