Two-population model · one synchronized · one incoherent
Coupling
R₁ (pop 1 order): —
R₂ (pop 2 order): —
State: —
Cyan = pop 1 · Orange = pop 2
Chimera: R₁≈1, R₂≪1
A chimera state (Kuramoto & Battogtokh 2002; named by Abrams & Strogatz 2004) is a symmetry-broken state where identical, symmetrically coupled oscillators spontaneously split: one population synchronizes (R≈1) while the other remains incoherent (R≪1). Key ingredient: nonzero phase lag α ≈ π/2. Tune K₂ (inter-group coupling) to find the chimera window.