Coupling multistable systems: uncertainty due to the initial positions on the attractors

Abstract

We consider the coupling of multistable nonidentical systems. For small values of the coupling coefficient the behavior of the coupled system strongly depends on the actual position of trajectories on their attractors in the moment when the coupling is introduced. After reaching the coupling threshold value, this dependence disappears. We give an evidence that this behavior is robust as it exists for a wide range of parameters and different types of coupling. We argue why this behavior cannot be considered as a dependence on the initial conditions.