We study the formation of synchronous clusters in ensembles of globally coupled chaotic oscillators. We reveal that at least three clusters of identical synchronization are formed in such a system for large enough values of coupling strength. Our main result is an unexpected intermittent process of clusterization. This process gives strong indication to the existence of a stable heteroclinic cycle.

• Received 2 November 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.66.026201