Phase transitions and avalanches in synchronizing systems

Synchronization is a common phenomenon in both natural and built systems for which theoretical understanding is still growing today. The work done here is intended to improve understanding of two examples of synchronization using numerical simulations. First is a system of eccentrically-weighted motors coupled through a common base. The second system is analogous to a laser: it consists of eccentrically-weighted motors distributed across a thin membrane with boundary conditions such that it acts as a resonant cavity. Both systems exhibit dynamical phase transitions between a state of asynchrony between the motors and a state of coordinated synchronization. I make theoretical predictions about when these phase transitions occur and run numerical simulations to test these predictions. Avalanches are often observed in systems near a phase transition. These avalanches are scale invariant and demonstrate bursts of sycnhronized activity within the system. I analyze these two systems for avalanche behavior so as to shed further light on their transitions and help connect them to other critical systems.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Coleman, John Patrick

Contributors dc:contributor

• Weaver, Richard
• Dahmen, Karin
• Weissman, Michael
• El-Khadra, Aida

• synchronization
• phase transitions

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 J. Patrick Coleman

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113795

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F113795