Synchronization modes of triple flickering buoyant diffusion flames: Experimental identification and model...

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear Dynamics
• Fluid Dynamics
• Complex Systems

Background:

• Synchronization phenomena are crucial in coupled nonlinear oscillator systems.
• Buoyant diffusion flames exhibit complex dynamics that can be synchronized.
• Understanding synchronization modes is key to controlling complex systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally and theoretically investigate the synchronization modes of three identical flickering buoyant diffusion flames.
• To identify and interpret various observed synchronization patterns.
• To evaluate the efficacy of different theoretical models in explaining these modes.

Main Methods:

• Experimental observation of flame synchronization by adjusting flame distance and fuel flow rates.
• Theoretical modeling using the classical Kuramoto model.
• Theoretical modeling using a novel complexified Stuart-Landau model with a complex coupling term.

Main Results:

• Five distinct synchronization modes were experimentally identified: in-phase, flickering death, partially flickering death, partially in-phase, and rotation.
• The classical Kuramoto model explained most modes but failed to capture amplitude death phenomena.
• The complexified Stuart-Landau model accurately interpreted all experimentally observed synchronization modes, including amplitude death.

Conclusions:

• The complexified Stuart-Landau model provides a superior framework for understanding synchronization in globally coupled nonlinear systems with identical oscillators.
• This model offers a new pathway for investigating complex dynamics, particularly the amplitude death mode.
• The study highlights the importance of advanced modeling techniques for capturing intricate behaviors in physical systems.