1. Strange Attractors and Lorenz Equations
CHAOS
Strange Attractors and Lorenz Equations

2. Definitions
Chaos – study of dynamical systems (non-periodic systems in motion) usually over time
Attractor – a set of points in phase space toward which neighboring points asymptotically approach within a basin of attraction
- an attractor can be a point, curve, manifold
or a complicated set of fractals known as a strange attractor

3. Definitions & Applications of Attractors
Strange Attractor – an attractor that exhibits sensitive dependence on initial conditions; they usually have fractal structure (infinite detail).
There are several types of strange attractors including:
Chua – used in electronic circuitry.
Duffing – used in nonlinear oscillators.
Rössler – used in chemical kinetics.
Ikeda – involved in the turbulence of trails of smoke.
Lorenz – used in atmospheric convection.

4. Applications of Attractors
Chua Duffing Lorenz
Rössler Ikeda

5. Edward Lorenz
an American mathematician and meteorologist, and is the first contributor to the chaos theory and inventor of the strange attractor notion in 1963.
Discovered that minute variations in initial weather parameters led to grossly divergent weather patterns
Coined the term “butterfly effect”

6. Lorenz Attractor
The Lorenz Attractor is based on three differential equations, three constants, and three initial conditions. The attractor represents the behavior of gas at any given time, and its condition at any given time depends upon its condition at a previous time.

7. The Lorenzian Waterwheel
Although originally developed to study the upper atmosphere, the Lorenz equations have since been used in the study of batteries, lasers, and even the simple chaotic waterwheel.

8. Lorenz Equations

9. The Variables x – refers to the convective flow.
y – refers to the horizontal temperature distribrution.
z – refers to the vertical temperature distribution.

10. The Constants
σ – sigma refers to the ratio of viscoscity to thermal conductivity.
ρ – rho refers to the temperature difference between the top and bottom of a given slice.
β – beta refers to the ratio of the width to the height.

11. Behavior
Chaotic behavior can only be found in systems of equations with three or more variables.
Within the Lorenz system, there are three things that make the system chaotic.
Equations
Initial Values
Constants
If the ρ constant is below a certain value, then there will be no chaotic behavior, and the graph will converge.

12. The Butterfly Effect ^ x solution with respect to time.
^ y solution with respect to time.
« z solution with respect to time.

13. Proof for Bounded System
(x) dx/dt = (-σx+σy)(x)
(y) dy/dt = (ρx-y-xz) (y)
(zn) dzn/dt = (-β(zn+ρ+σ)+xy) (zn)
^{zn=z-ρ-σ}
{z=zn+ρ+σ}
½dx2/dt = -σx2+σxy
½dy2/dt = ρxy-y2-xy(zn+ρ+σ)
½dzn2/dt = -βzn2-βρzn-βσzn+xyzn

14. Proof Cont. ½d(x2+y2+zn2)/dt = -σx2-y2-βzn2-βzn(ρ+σ) a2+b2 ≥ 2ab
2ab » -zn(√β-1)(√1/β-1)β(ρ+σ)
a2+b2 » zn2(β-1)+(β2(ρ+σ)2/4(β-1))
½d(x2+y2+zn2)/dt = -σx2-y2-zn2+
(β2(ρ+σ)2/4(β-1))

15. Proof Cont. -σx2-y2-zn2 ≤ -(x2+y2+zn2) |σ|>1
R(t) = x2+y2+zn2
d(R(t))/dt = -2R(t)+2((β2(ρ+σ)2/4(β-1))
R’+2R=ε

16. Proof Finale
R = εte-2t+ce-2t
R » c t = 0
R » 0 t » infinity

17. The End