Bistability between synchrony and incoherence in limit-cycle oscillators with coupling strength inhomogeneity.

The effect of coupling strength inhomogeneity on the synchronization of identical oscillators is investigated. Through simulations and analysis of phase-reduced models, it is shown that the mean value of coupling function and the degree of inhomogeneity in the total of coupling strength to the each oscillator cooperate to stabilize incoherent states. Under some circumstances, there can be bistability between coherent and incoherent states. Various cases of coupled Morris-Lecar oscillators are studied as examples of our results.