Phase transitions and avalanches in synchronizing systems

Coleman, John Patrick

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113795 Copy

Description

Title

Phase transitions and avalanches in synchronizing systems

Author(s)

Coleman, John Patrick

Issue Date

2021-07-23

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Weaver, Richard

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Dahmen, Karin

Committee Member(s)

• Weissman, Michael
• El-Khadra, Aida

Department of Study

Physics

Discipline

Physics

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• synchronization
• phase transitions

Abstract

Synchronization is a common phenomenon in both natural and built systems for which theoretical understanding is still growing today. The work done here is intended to improve understanding of two examples of synchronization using numerical simulations. First is a system of eccentrically-weighted motors coupled through a common base. The second system is analogous to a laser: it consists of eccentrically-weighted motors distributed across a thin membrane with boundary conditions such that it acts as a resonant cavity. Both systems exhibit dynamical phase transitions between a state of asynchrony between the motors and a state of coordinated synchronization. I make theoretical predictions about when these phase transitions occur and run numerical simulations to test these predictions. Avalanches are often observed in systems near a phase transition. These avalanches are scale invariant and demonstrate bursts of sycnhronized activity within the system. I analyze these two systems for avalanche behavior so as to shed further light on their transitions and help connect them to other critical systems.

Graduation Semester

2021-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113795

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2021 J. Patrick Coleman

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