Amplitude death with mean-field diffusion

We study the dynamics of nonlinear oscillators under mean-field diffusive coupling. We observe that this form of coupling leads to amplitude death via a synchronization transition in the parameter space of the coupling strength and mean-field control parameter. A general criterion for amplitude death for any given dynamical system with mean-field diffusion is obtained, and these dynamical transitions are characterized using various indices such as average phase difference, Lyapunov exponents, and average amplitude. This behavior is analyzed in the parameter plane by numerical studies of specific cases of the Landau-Stuart limit-cycle oscillator, and Rössler, Lorenz, FitzHugh-Nagumo excitable, and Chua systems. © 2012 American Physical Society.