Foundations of Synergetics II

The subject of chaos and, in particular, the complex chaotic patterns that can arise in distributed active systems are topics that are currently attracting much attention from various branches of science. This book and its recently published partner volume offer an excellent introduction to the basic theory of cooperative behavior in distributed active systems and are written at a level that is accessible to undergraduate students.

1. Introduction.- 1.1 Chaotic Dynamics.- 1.2 Noise-Induced Complex Patterns.- 1.3 Chaos and Self-Organization.- 2. Unpredictable Dynamics.- 2.1 Hamiltonian Systems.- 2.2 Destruction of Tori.- 2.3 Ergodicity and Mixing.- 3. Strange Attractors.- 3.1 Dissipative Systems and Their Attractors.- 3.2 The Lorenz Model.- 3.3 Lyapunov Exponents.- 3.4 The Autocorrelation Function.- 4. Fractals.- 4.1 Self-Similar Patterns.- 4.2 Dimensions.- 4.3 Fractal Dimensions of Strange Attractors.- 5. Discrete Maps.- 5.1 Fixed Points and Cycles.- 5.2 Chaotic Maps.- 5.3 Feigenbaum Universality.- 6. Routes to Temporal Chaos.- 6.1 Bifurcations.- 6.2 The Ruelle-Takens Scenario.- 6.3 Period Doubling.- 6.4 Intermittency.- 7. Spatio-Temporal Chaos.- 7.1 Embedding Dimensions.- 7.2 Phase Turbulence.- 7.3 Coupled Chaotic Maps.- 8. Random Processes.- 8.1 Probabilistic Automata.- 8.2 Continuous Random Processes.- 8.3 The Fokker-Planck Equation.- 9. Active Systems with Noise.- 9.1 Generalized Brownian Motion.- 9.2 Internal Noise.- 9.3 Optimal Fluctuations.- 10. Population Explosions.- 10.1 Mean Ignition Time of Explosion.- 10.2 Intermittency of Growth.- 10.3 Breeding Centers.- 11. Extinction and Long-Time Relaxation.- 11.1 Random Traps.- 11.2 Irreversible Annihilation.- 11.3 Conserved Quantities and Long-Time Relaxation.- 11.4 Stochastic Segregation and the Sub-Poissonian Distribution.- 12. Catastrophes.- 12.1 Second-Order Phase Transitions.- 12.2 Sweeping Through the Critical Region.- 12.3 The Biased Transition.- 12.4 Population Settling-Down.- 12.5 Survival in the Fluctuating Environment.- References.