Synchronization transitions in adaptive Kuramoto–Sakaguchi oscillators with higher-order interactions

Coupled oscillators models help us in understanding the origin of synchronization phenomenon prevalent in both natural and artificial systems. Here, we study the coupled Kuramoto oscillator model having phase lag and adaptation in higher-order interactions. We find that the type of transition to synchronization changes from the first-order to second-order through tiered synchronization depending on the adaptation parameters. Phase lag enables this transition at a lower exponent of the adaptation parameters. Moreover, an interplay between the adaptation and phase lag parameters eliminates tiered synchronization, facilitating a direct transition from the first to second-order. In the thermodynamic limit, the Ott-Antonsen approach accurately describes all stationary and (un)stable states, with analytical results matching those obtained from numerical simulations for finite system sizes.