Characterization of intermittent lag synchronization

Intermittent lag synchronization of two nonidentical symmetrically coupled Rossler systems is investigated. This phenomenon can be seen as a process w herein the intermittent bursts away from the lag synchronization regime cor respond to jumps of the system toward other lag configurations. During thes e jumps, the chaotic trajectory visits closely a periodic orbit. The identi fication of the different lag configurations and the measure of the fractio n of time passed by the system in each one of them provide information on t he global scenario of transitions undergone by the system before reaching p erfect lag synchronization.