Classical solutions of a mean field system for pulse-coupled oscillators: long time asymptotics versus blowup

Abstract

We introduce a novel reformulation of the mean-field system for pulse-coupled oscillators. It is based on writing a closed equation for the inverse distribution function associated to the probability density of oscillators with a given phase in a suitable time scale. This new framework allows to show a hidden contraction/expansion of certain distances leading to a full clarification of the long-time behavior, existence of steady states, rates of convergence, and finite time blow-up of classical solutions for a large class of monotone phase response functions. In the process, we get insights about the origin of obstructions to global-in-time existence and uniform in time estimates on the firing rate of the oscillators.