Chaotic transition in a five-coupled phi(4)-field soliton system

Cooperative motions of solitons in a cross-shaped system formed by five cha ins are numerically studied by solving a set of perturbed phi (4)-field equ ations with inter-chain couplings. We find the partially synchronized phase , which exists in a region between the completely synchronized phase and th e asynchronized phase. We observe the chaotic transition due to the reconst ruction of the synchronized state in the partially synchronized phase, in w hich the solitons make clusters. We investigate the time-evolution of the n umber of clusters. The distribution function of the duration time of the st ate in which all solitons synchronize, namely, when the number of clusters is equal to 1, is expressed as a 3/2 power law. The power spectrum for the time-variation of the number of clusters also shows a power law. When we ex amine these calculations in a five-coupled logistic map system, good agreem ent between the results in these systems can be obtained. The chaotic trans ition phenomenon presented in a five-coupled oscillator system is closely r elated to the onset of the on-off intermittency. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.