An Exploration of Dynamical Systems and Chaos

This book is conceived as a comprehensive and detailed text-book on non-linear dynamical systems with particular emphasis on the exploration of chaotic phenomena. The self-contained introductory presentation is addressed both to those who wish to study the physics of chaotic systems and non-linear dynamics intensively as well as those who are curious to learn more about the fascinating world of chaotic phenomena. Basic concepts like Poincaré section, iterated mappings, Hamiltonian chaos and KAM theory, strange attractors, fractal dimensions, Lyapunov exponents, bifurcation theory, self-similarity and renormalisation and transitions to chaos are thoroughly explained. To facilitate comprehension, mathematical concepts and tools are introduced in short sub-sections. The text is supported by numerous computer experiments and a multitude of graphical illustrations and colour plates emphasising the geometrical and topological characteristics of the underlying dynamics.

This volume is a completely revised and enlarged second edition which comprises recently obtained research results of topical interest, and has been extended to include a new section on the basic concepts of probability theory. A completely new chapter on fully developed turbulence presents the successes of chaos theory, its limitations as well as future trends in the development of complex spatio-temporal structures.

"This book will be of valuable help for my lectures"  Hermann Haken, Stuttgart

"This text-book should not be missing in any introductory lecture on non-linear systems and deterministic chaos" Wolfgang Kinzel, Würzburg

“This well written book represents a comprehensive treatise on dynamical systems. It may serve as reference book for the whole field of nonlinear and chaotic systems and reports in a unique way on scientific developments of recent decades as well as important applications.” Joachim Peinke, Institute of Physics, Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Germany

• Chaos
• Conservative und Dissipative Systems
• Dynamical Systems
• Fractal Dimensions
• Kolmogorov-Sinai Entropy
• Local Bifurcations
• Lorenz-Model
• Lyapunov-Exponents
• Nonlinear Dynamics
• Routes to Chaos
• Strange Attractors
• Turbulence
• complexity

“Familiarity with ideas and tools presented here is of doubtless use for all those who apply methods of the theory of dynamical systems to various problems in science and technology. I expect the book to find its readership basically as an introduction to nonlinear dynamics for undergraduate students of natural sciences, but also as a general reference work for researchers confronted with the need to understand dynamical mechanisms behind the phenomena which they encounter in their experiments and numerical simulations.” (Mikhail Zaks, Mathematical Reviews, May, 2016)

• University of Stuttgart ICA, Stuttgart, Germany

  John H. Argyris

• Inst. Statik und Dynamik der Luft-und Raumfahrtkonstruktionen, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany

  Gunter Faust

• Universität Stuttgart, Institut für Höchstleistungsrechnen, Stuttgart, Germany

  Maria Haase

• Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münste Institut für Theoretische Physik, Münster, Germany

  Rudolf Friedrich

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