Topics In Nonlinear Physics

Nonlinear physics continues to be an area of dynamic modern research, with applications to physics, engineering, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, biology, medicine and economics. In this text extensive use is made of the Mathematica computer algebra system. No prior knowledge of Mathematica or programming is assumed. This book includes 33 experimental activities that are designed to deepen and broaden the reader's understanding of nonlinear physics. These activities are correlated with Part I, the theoretical framework of the text.

Through a series of examples from physics, engineering, biology and economics, this book illustrates the enormous potential for application of ideas and concepts from nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory. The overlap with examples published in other books is virtually equal to zero. The book takes the reader from detailed studies of bifurcation structures of relativity simple models to pattern formation in spatially extended systems. The book also discusses the different perspectives that nonlinear dynamics brings to different fields of science.

This book provides a thorough review of a class of powerful algorithms for the numerical analysis of complex time series data which were obtained from dynamical systems. These algorithms are based on the concept of state space representations of the underlying dynamics, as introduced by nonlinear dynamics. In particular, current algorithms for state space reconstruction, correlation dimension estimation, testing for determinism and surrogate data testing are presented — algorithms which have been playing a central role in the investigation of deterministic chaos and related phenomena since 1980. Special emphasis is given to the much-disputed issue whether these algorithms can be successfully employed for the analysis of the human electroencephalogram.

This textbook is aimed at newcomers to nonlinear dynamics and chaos, especially students taking a first course in the subject. The presentation stresses analytical methods, concrete examples, and geometric intuition. The theory is developed systematically, starting with first-order differential equations and their bifurcations, followed by phase plane analysis, limit cycles and their bifurcations, and culminating with the Lorenz equations, chaos, iterated maps, period doubling, renormalization, fractals, and strange attractors.

Nonlinear Dynamics: A Two-Way Trip from Physics to Math provides readers with the mathematical tools of nonlinear dynamics to tackle problems in all areas of physics. The selection of topics emphasizes bifurcation theory and topological analysis of dynamical systems. The book includes real-life problems and experiments as well as exercises and worked examples to test understanding.

A nonlinearity is one of the most important notions in modern physics. A plasma is rich in nonlinearities and provides a variety of behaviors inherent to instabilities, coherent wave structures and turbulence. The book covers the basic concepts and mathematical methods, necessary to comprehend nonlinear problems widely encountered in contemporary plasmas, but also in other fields of physics and current research on self-organized structures and magnetized plasma turbulence. The analyses make use of strongly nonlinear models solved by analytical techniques backed by extensive simulations and available experiments. The text is written for senior undergraduates, graduate students, lecturers and researchers in laboratory, space and fusion plasmas.

This book presents a selection of contributions from the 4th International Conference on Structural Nonlinear Dynamics and Diagnostics, reflecting diverse aspects of nonlinear and complex dynamics. Fifteen chapters discuss the latest findings and applications in active research areas in nonlinear mechanics and physics. These includes the dynamics of ships with liquid sloshing interaction, dynamics of drops and bubbles, nonlinear drying processes, suppression of time-delayed induced vibrations, dynamics of robotic systems, chaos detection in rolling element, dynamics of a planetary gear system with faults, vibro-impact systems, complex fractional moments for nonlinear systems, oscillations under hysteretic conditions, as well as topics in nonlinear energy harvesting and control.