Chaos synchronization by resonance of multiple delay times.

Chaos synchronization may arise in networks of nonlinear units with delayed couplings. We study complete and sublattice synchronization generated by resonance of two large time delays with a specific ratio. As it is known for single-delay networks, the number of synchronized sublattices is determined by the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the network loop lengths.

The transition between strong and weak chaos in delay systems: Stochastic modeling approach.

We investigate the scaling behavior of the maximal Lyapunov exponent in chaotic systems with time delay. In the large-delay limit, it is known that one can distinguish between strong and weak chaos depending on the delay scaling, analogously to strong and weak instabilities for steady states and periodic orbits. Here we show that the Lyapunov exponent of chaotic systems shows significant differences in its scaling behavior compared to constant or periodic dynamics due to fluctuations in the linearized equations of motion.

Stochastic switching in delay-coupled oscillators.

A delay is known to induce multistability in periodic systems. Under influence of noise, coupled oscillators can switch between coexistent orbits with different frequencies and different oscillation patterns. For coupled phase oscillators we reduce the delay system to a nondelayed Langevin equation, which allows us to analytically compute the distribution of frequencies and their corresponding residence times.

Chaos in networks with time-delayed couplings.

Networks of nonlinear units coupled by time-delayed signals can show chaos. In the limit of long delay times, chaos appears in two ways: strong and weak, depending on how the maximal Lyapunov exponent scales with the delay time. Only for weak chaos, a network can synchronize completely, without time shift.

Strong and weak chaos in networks of semiconductor lasers with time-delayed couplings.

Nonlinear networks with time-delayed couplings may show strong and weak chaos, depending on the scaling of their Lyapunov exponent with the delay time. We study strong and weak chaos for semiconductor lasers, either with time-delayed self-feedback or for small networks. We examine the dependence on the pump current and consider the question of whether strong and weak chaos can be identified from the shape of the intensity trace, the autocorrelations, and the external cavity modes.

Chaos pass filter: linear response of synchronized chaotic systems.

The linear response of synchronized time-delayed chaotic systems to small external perturbations, i.e., the phenomenon of chaos pass filter, is investigated for iterated maps.

Discontinuous attractor dimension at the synchronization transition of time-delayed chaotic systems.

The attractor dimension at the transition to complete synchronization in a network of chaotic units with time-delayed couplings is investigated. In particular, we determine the Kaplan-Yorke dimension from the spectrum of Lyapunov exponents for iterated maps and for two coupled semiconductor lasers. We argue that the Kaplan-Yorke dimension must be discontinuous at the transition and compare it to the correlation dimension.

Random symmetry breaking and freezing in chaotic networks.

Parameter space of a driven damped oscillator in a double well potential presents either a chaotic trajectory with sign oscillating amplitude or a nonchaotic trajectory with a fixed sign amplitude. A network of such delay coupled damped oscillators is shown to present chaotic dynamics while the sign amplitude of each damped oscillator is randomly frozen. This phenomenon of random broken global symmetry of the network simultaneous with random freezing of each degree of freedom is accompanied by the existence of exponentially many randomly frozen chaotic attractors with the size of the network.

Pulsed chaos synchronization in networks with adaptive couplings.

Networks of chaotic units with static couplings can synchronize to a common chaotic trajectory. The effect of dynamic adaptive couplings on the cooperative behavior of chaotic networks is investigated. The couplings adjust to the activities of its two units by two competing mechanisms: An exponential decrease of the coupling strength is compensated for by an increase due to desynchronized activity.

Coexistence of exponentially many chaotic spin-glass attractors.

A chaotic network of size N with delayed interactions which resembles a pseudoinverse associative memory neural network is investigated. For a load α = P/N < 1, where P stands for the number of stored patterns, the chaotic network functions as an associative memory of 2P attractors with macroscopic basin of attractions which decrease with α. At finite α, a chaotic spin-glass phase exists, where the number of distinct chaotic attractors scales exponentially with N.

Strong and weak chaos in nonlinear networks with time-delayed couplings.

We study chaotic synchronization in networks with time-delayed coupling. We introduce the notion of strong and weak chaos, distinguished by the scaling properties of the maximum Lyapunov exponent within the synchronization manifold for large delay times, and relate this to the condition for stable or unstable chaotic synchronization, respectively. In simulations of laser models and experiments with electronic circuits, we identify transitions from weak to strong and back to weak chaos upon monotonically increasing the coupling strength.

Observing chaos for quantum-dot microlasers with external feedback.

Chaos presents a striking and fascinating phenomenon of nonlinear systems. A common aspect of such systems is the presence of feedback that couples the output signal partially back to the input. Feedback coupling can be well controlled in optoelectronic devices such as conventional semiconductor lasers that provide bench-top platforms for the study of chaotic behaviour and high bit rate random number generation.

Synchronization of chaotic networks with time-delayed couplings: an analytic study.

Networks of nonlinear units with time-delayed couplings can synchronize to a common chaotic trajectory. Although the delay time may be very large, the units can synchronize completely without time shift. For networks of coupled Bernoulli maps, analytic results are derived for the stability of the chaotic synchronization manifold.

Synchronization of random bit generators based on coupled chaotic lasers and application to cryptography.

Random bit generators (RBGs) constitute an important tool in cryptography, stochastic simulations and secure communications. The later in particular has some difficult requirements: high generation rate of unpredictable bit strings and secure key-exchange protocols over public channels. Deterministic algorithms generate pseudo-random number sequences at high rates, however, their unpredictability is limited by the very nature of their deterministic origin.

Zero lag synchronization of chaotic systems with time delayed couplings.

Zero-lag synchronization (ZLS) between chaotic units, which do not have self-feedback or a relay unit connecting them, is experimentally demonstrated for two mutually coupled chaotic semiconductor lasers. The mechanism is based on two mutual coupling delay times with certain allowed integer ratios, whereas for a single mutual delay time ZLS cannot be achieved. This mechanism is also found numerically for mutually coupled chaotic maps where its stability is analyzed using the Schur-Cohn theorem for the roots of polynomials.

Zero-lag synchronization and multiple time delays in two coupled chaotic systems.

Zero-lag synchronization (ZLS) between two chaotic systems coupled by a portion of their signal is achieved for restricted ratios between the delays of the self-feedback and the mutual coupling. We extend this scenario to the case of a set of multiple self-feedbacks {Ndi} and a set of multiple mutual couplings {Ncj}. We demonstrate both analytically and numerically that ZLS can be achieved when SigmaliNdi+igmamjNcj=0, where li,mj(epsilon)Z.

On chaos synchronization and secure communication.

Chaos synchronization, in particular isochronal synchronization of two chaotic trajectories to each other, may be used to build a means of secure communication over a public channel. In this paper, we give an overview of coupling schemes of Bernoulli units deduced from chaotic laser systems, different ways to transmit information by chaos synchronization and the advantage of bidirectional over unidirectional coupling with respect to secure communication. We present the protocol for using dynamical private commutative filters for tap-proof transmission of information that maps the task of a passive attacker to the class of non-deterministic polynomial time-complete problems.

Pulses of chaos synchronization in coupled map chains with delayed transmission.

Pulses of synchronization in chaotic coupled map lattices are discussed in the context of transmission of information. Synchronization and desynchronization propagate along the chain with different velocities which are calculated analytically from the spectrum of convective Lyapunov exponents. Since the front of synchronization travels slower than the front of desynchronization, the maximal possible chain length for which information can be transmitted by modulating the first unit of the chain is bounded.

Synchronization of networks of chaotic units with time-delayed couplings.

A network of chaotic units is investigated where the units are coupled by signals with a transmission delay. Any arbitrary finite network is considered where the chaotic trajectories of the uncoupled units are a solution of the dynamic equations of the network. It is shown that chaotic trajectories cannot be synchronized if the transmission delay is larger than the time scales of the individual units.

Dynamics of recurrent neural networks with delayed unreliable synapses: metastable clustering.

The influence of unreliable synapses on the dynamic properties of a neural network is investigated for a homogeneous integrate-and-fire network with delayed inhibitory synapses. Numerical and analytical calculations show that the network relaxes to a state with dynamic clusters of identical size which permanently exchange neurons. We present analytical results for the number of clusters and their distribution of firing times which are determined by the synaptic properties.

Phase synchronization in mutually coupled chaotic diode lasers.

Semiconductor lasers with optical feedback have chaotically pulsating output behavior. When two similar chaotic lasers are optically coupled, they can become synchronized in their optical fluctuations. Here we show that the synchronization is not only in the amplitude and in the timing of the pulses but that the short pulses are also phase coherent with each other.

Public channel cryptography: chaos synchronization and Hilbert's tenth problem.

The synchronization process of two mutually delayed coupled deterministic chaotic maps is demonstrated both analytically and numerically. The synchronization is preserved when the mutually transmitted signals are concealed by two commutative private filters, a convolution of the truncated time-delayed output signals or some powers of the delayed output signals. The task of a passive attacker is mapped onto Hilbert's tenth problem, solving a set of nonlinear Diophantine equations, which was proven to be in the class of NP-complete problems [problems that are both NP (verifiable in nondeterministic polynomial time) and NP-hard (any NP problem can be translated into this problem)].

Simulation of self-assembled nanopatterns in strained 2D alloys on the face centered cubic (111) surface.

We investigate the formation of nanostructures in 2D strained alloys on face centered cubic (111) surfaces by means of equilibrium Monte Carlo simulations. In the framework of an off-lattice model, we consider one monolayer of two bulk-immiscible adsorbates A and B with negative and positive misfit relative to the substrate, respectively. Simulations show that the adsorbates partly self-organize into island or stripe-like patterns.

Patterns of chaos synchronization.

Small networks of chaotic units which are coupled by their time-delayed variables are investigated. In spite of the time delay, the units can synchronize isochronally, i.e.

Space representation of stochastic processes with delay.

We show that a time series x(t) evolving by a nonlocal update rule x(t) =f (x(t-n),x(t-k)) with two different delays k < n can be mapped onto a local process in two dimensions with special time-delayed boundary conditions, provided that n and k are coprime. For certain stochastic update rules exhibiting a nonequilibrium phase transition, this mapping implies that the critical behavior does not depend on the short delay k . In these cases, the autocorrelation function of the time series is related to the critical properties of the corresponding two-dimensional model.