A matrix-valued Kuramoto model (Q2302667)

This paper considers a generalisation of the Kuramoto model of coupled phase oscillators to a system with matrix-valued variables. In the case of \(2\times 2\) symmetric matrices the system can be described by three equations, one of which is similar to the classical Kuramoto model with dynamic coupling. However, the phase difference is multiplied by 4 as a result of considering alignment of eigenvector frames rather than phases. The authors prove three results: (i) the equal frequency phase-locked state, in which the matrices all commute, is stable; (ii) twist states for the \(2\times 2\) symmetric matrix-valued model, in which the eigenframes are equally spaced about the unit circle, are dynamically unstable; (iii) fixed points associated with families of commuting matrices of any size are conditionally stable. The results of several numerical simulations are shown to illustrate some of the results derived.