Explosive behaviour in networks of Winfree oscillators

Abstract

We consider directed networks of Winfree oscillators with power law distributed in- and out-degree distributions. Gaussian and power law distributed intrinsic frequencies are considered, and these frequencies are positively correlated with oscillators' in-degrees. The Ott/Antonsen ansatz is used to derive degree-based mean field equations for the expected dynamics of networks, and these are numerically analysed. In a variety of cases "explosive" transitions between either two different steady states or between a steady state and a periodic solution are found, and these transitions are explained using bifurcation theory.