Explosive Synchronization in Complex Dynamical Networks Coupled with Chaotic Systems

Explosive synchronization (ES), as one kind of abrupt dynamical transitions in nonlinearly coupled systems, has become a hot spot of modern complex networks. At present, many results of ES are based on the networked Kuramoto oscillators and little attention has been paid to the influence of chaotic dynamics on synchronization transitions. Here, the unified chaotic systems (Lorenz, Lü and Chen) and R?ssler systems are studied to report evidence of an explosive synchronization of chaotic systems with different topological network structures. The results show that ES is clearly observed in coupled Lorenz systems. However, the continuous transitions take place in the coupled Chen and Lü systems, even though a big shock exits during the synchronization process. In addition, the coupled R?ssler systems will keep synchronous once the entire network is completely synchronized, although the coupling strength is reduced. Finally, we give some explanations from the dynamical features of the unified chaotic systems and the periodic orbit of the R?ssler systems.