In-phase and anti-phase synchronization of oscillators with Huygens' coupling

In this experimental study, the synchronized motion observed in pairs of nonlinear oscillators coupled through a suspended rigid bar, is analyzed. In particular, the dynamics of two mass-spring-damper oscillators and the dynamics of two van der Pol oscillators are considered. It is shown that in both cases, the oscillators may exhibit in-phase and anti-phase synchronization. The experiments are executed in an experimental setup, consisting of two mass-spring-damperoscillators coupled through a suspended rigid bar. A relation between the obtained results and Huygens’ experiment of pendulum clocks is emphasized