Spiral and target wave chimeras in a 2D lattice of map-based neuron models

Abstract

We study the dynamics of a two-dimensional lattice of nonlocally coupled-map-based neuron models represented by Rulkov maps. It is firstly shown that this discrete-time neural network can exhibit spiral and target waves and corresponding chimera states when the control parameters (the coupling strength and the coupling radius) are varied. It is demonstrated that one-core, multicore, and ring-shaped core spiral chimeras can be realized in the network. We also reveal a novel type of chimera structure - a target wave chimera. We explore the transition from spiral wave chimeras to target wave structures when varying the coupling parameters. We report for the first time that the spiral wave regime can be suppressed by applying noise excitations, and the subsequent transition to the target wave mode occurs.