Noise-induced dynamical regimes in a system of globally coupled excitable units

We study the interplay of global attractive coupling and individual noise in a system of identical active rotators in the excitable regime. Performing a numerical bifurcation analysis of the nonlocal nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation for the thermodynamic limit, we identify a complex bifurcation scenario with regions of different dynamical regimes, including collective oscillations and coexistence of states with different levels of activity. In systems of finite size, this leads to additional dynamical features, such as collective excitability of different types and noise-induced switching and bursting. Moreover, we show how characteristic quantities such as macroscopic and microscopic variability of interspike intervals can depend in a non-monotonous way on the noise level.

Automated summary

This study investigates the interplay of global attractive coupling and individual noise in a system of identical active rotators in the excitable regime. A complex bifurcation scenario with different dynamical regimes is identified through numerical bifurcation analysis, with additional dynamical features such as collective excitability and noise-induced switching and bursting in systems of finite size. The dependence of characteristic quantities on noise level is shown to be non-monotonic.