Mode decomposition for a synchronous state and its applications

Synchronization of coupled dynamical systems including periodic and chaotic systems is investigated both anlaytically and numerically. A novel method, mode decomposition, of treating the stability of a synchronous state is proposed based on the Floquet theory. A rigorous criterion is then derived, which can be applied to arbitrary coupled systems. Two typical numerical examples: coupled Van der Pol systems (corresponding to the case of coupled periodic oscillators) and coupled Lorenz systems (corresponding to the case of chaotic systems) are used to demonstrate the theoretical analysis.