PHASE-TRANSITIONS IN NONLINEAR OSCILLATOR CHAINS

It is shown numerically that a one-dimensional system of coupled dispa rate nonlinear oscillators undergoes a phase transition from a synchro nized to a desynchronized state as the range of interactions is decrea sed. Using a coupling that decreases with distance as r(-alpha), the f unctional dependence of the critical coupling exponent on the coupling constant alpha(c)(K) is mapped out and the nature of the transition i s discussed. Previously studied models and results are recovered in th e appropriate limits of the coupling exponent.