A two-variable approach to solve the polynomial Lyapunov equation

A two-variable polynomial approach to solve the one-variable polynomial Lyapunov equation is proposed. Lifting the problem from the one-variable to the two-variable context allows to use Faddeev-type recursions in order to solve the polynomial Lyapunov equation in an iterative fashion. The method is especially suitable for applications requiring exact or symbolic computation

Macroscopic chaos in globally coupled maps

We study the coherent dynamics of globally coupled maps showing macroscopic chaos. With this term we indicate the hydrodynamical-like irregular behaviour of some global observables, with typical times much longer than the times related to the evolution of the single (or microscopic) elements of the system. The usual Lyapunov exponent is not able to capture the essential features of this macroscopic phenomenon. Using the recently introduced notion of finite size Lyapunov exponent, we characterize, in a consistent way, these macroscopic behaviours. Basically, at small values of the perturbation we recover the usual (microscopic) Lyapunov exponent, while at larger values a sort of macroscopic Lyapunov exponent emerges, which can be much smaller than the former. A quantitative characterization of the chaotic motion at hydrodynamical level is then possible, even in the absence of the explicit equations for the time evolution of the macroscopic observables.Comment: 24 pages revtex, 9 figures included. Improved version also with 1 figure and some references adde

Quantum control theory and applications: A survey

This paper presents a survey on quantum control theory and applications from a control systems perspective. Some of the basic concepts and main developments (including open-loop control and closed-loop control) in quantum control theory are reviewed. In the area of open-loop quantum control, the paper surveys the notion of controllability for quantum systems and presents several control design strategies including optimal control, Lyapunov-based methodologies, variable structure control and quantum incoherent control. In the area of closed-loop quantum control, the paper reviews closed-loop learning control and several important issues related to quantum feedback control including quantum filtering, feedback stabilization, LQG control and robust quantum control.Comment: 38 pages, invited survey paper from a control systems perspective, some references are added, published versio

Predictability: a way to characterize Complexity

Different aspects of the predictability problem in dynamical systems are reviewed. The deep relation among Lyapunov exponents, Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy, Shannon entropy and algorithmic complexity is discussed. In particular, we emphasize how a characterization of the unpredictability of a system gives a measure of its complexity. Adopting this point of view, we review some developments in the characterization of the predictability of systems showing different kind of complexity: from low-dimensional systems to high-dimensional ones with spatio-temporal chaos and to fully developed turbulence. A special attention is devoted to finite-time and finite-resolution effects on predictability, which can be accounted with suitable generalization of the standard indicators. The problems involved in systems with intrinsic randomness is discussed, with emphasis on the important problems of distinguishing chaos from noise and of modeling the system. The characterization of irregular behavior in systems with discrete phase space is also considered.Comment: 142 Latex pgs. 41 included eps figures, submitted to Physics Reports. Related information at this http://axtnt2.phys.uniroma1.i