Explosive synchronization in coupled nonlinear oscillators on multiplex network

We report the emergence of explosive synchronization in a multiplex network where oscillators on the first layer are coupled with attractive coupling and those on the second layer, coupled with repulsive coupling. With Stuart-Landau and FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators as the nodal dynamics, we consider non-local and mean-field intralayer couplings. We establish that explosive synchronization occurs in the multiplex network in the presence of Gaussian noise, and the transition is first order with hysteresis to a state of complete intra-layer and in-phase interlayer synchronization. The width of the hysteresis depends on the range of intralayer attractive coupling, strength of interlayer coupling and noise. We also see how to have control over this induced transition so that the explosive nature, if undesirable, can be converted to continuous type by tuning the strength of repulsive coupling or noise. •Explosive synchronization (ES) is established on a multiplex network for coupled nonlinear oscillators like Stuart-Landau and FitzHugh-Nagumo, where synchronization is complete in amplitude and phase.•ES occurs in the presence of noise, as a first order transition with hysteresis to a state of complete intra-layer and in-phase interlayer synchronization.•The width of hysteresis depends on the range of intralayer attractive coupling, interlayer coupling, and noise.•Explosive synchronization can be converted to continuous type by tuning the strength of intralayer coupling, inert layer coupling or noise.