Multicluster and traveling chimera states in nonlocal phase-coupled oscillators

Chimera states consisting of domains of coherently and incoherently oscillating identical oscillators with nonlocal coupling are studied. These states usually coexist with the fully synchronized state and have a small basin of attraction. We propose a nonlocal phase-coupled model in which chimera states develop from random initial conditions. Several classes of chimera states have been found: (a) stationary multicluster states with evenly distributed coherent clusters, (b) stationary multicluster states with unevenly distributed clusters, and (c) a single cluster state traveling with a constant speed across the system. Traveling coherent states are also identified. A self-consistent continuum description of these states is provided and their stability properties analyzed through a combination of linear stability analysis and numerical simulation.