Strange Attractors and Lorenz Equations CHAOS Strange Attractors and Lorenz Equations

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

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.

Applications of Attractors Chua Duffing Lorenz Rössler Ikeda

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”

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.

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.

Lorenz Equations

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

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.

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.

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

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

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))

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

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

The End