Perturbation of a Simple Coupled Oscillator: Phase Response Curves
Notes:
One way to measure the coupling of an oscillator is to conduct a simple perturbation experiment. The figure on the left shows the oscillator at some phase (f) just prior to the stimulus. The red dot represents the phase of the oscillator after a stimulus is presented. In this case, the phase of the oscillator is advanced by Df and the next period of the oscillator is shortened. Phase delays, where the period following the stimulus is lengthened, are also possible. The phase response of the oscillator is the change in phase (Df) as a function of the phase (f) at which the stimulus is presented. The plot on the right shows two typical phase response curves (PRCs). The solid PRC indicates that the oscillator always lengthened it period (phase delay) when the stimulus was presented. The other oscillator (dashed line) delayed its phase when the stimulus was presented early in its cycle but advanced its phase when the stimulus was presented late in its period.