Symmetries in the Lorenz-96 model

The Lorenz-96 model is widely used as a test model for various applications, such as data assimilation methods. This symmetric model has the forcing $F\in\mathbb{R}$ and the dimension $n\in\mathbb{N}$ as parameters and is $\mathbb{Z}_n$ equivariant. In this paper, we unravel its dynamics for $F<0$ using equivariant bifurcation theory. Symmetry gives rise to invariant subspaces, that play an important role in this model. We exploit them in order to generalise results from a low dimension to all multiples of that dimension. We discuss symmetry for periodic orbits as well. Our analysis leads to proofs of the existence of pitchfork bifurcations for $F<0$ in specific dimensions $n$: In all even dimensions, the equilibrium $(F,\ldots,F)$ exhibits a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation. In dimensions $n=4k$, $k\in\mathbb{N}$, a second supercritical pitchfork bifurcation occurs simultaneously for both equilibria originating from the previous one. Furthermore, numerical observations reveal that in dimension $n=2^qp$, where $q\in\mathbb{N}\cup\{0\}$ and $p$ is odd, there is a finite cascade of exactly $q$ subsequent pitchfork bifurcations, whose bifurcation values are independent of $n$. This structure is discussed and interpreted in light of the symmetries of the model.Comment: 31 pages, 9 figures and 3 table

A bifurcation study to guide the design of a landing gear with a combined uplock/downlock mechanism

This paper discusses the insights that a bifurcation analysis can provide when designing mechanisms. A model, in the form of a set of coupled steady-state equations, can be derived to describe the mechanism. Solutions to this model can be traced through the mechanism's state versus parameter space via numerical continuation, under the simultaneous variation of one or more parameters. With this approach, crucial features in the response surface, such as bifurcation points, can be identified. By numerically continuing these points in the appropriate parameter space, the resulting bifurcation diagram can be used to guide parameter selection and optimization. In this paper, we demonstrate the potential of this technique by considering an aircraft nose landing gear, with a novel locking strategy that uses a combined uplock/downlock mechanism. The landing gear is locked when in the retracted or deployed states. Transitions between these locked states and the unlocked state (where the landing gear is a mechanism) are shown to depend upon the positions of two fold point bifurcations. By performing a two-parameter continuation, the critical points are traced to identify operational boundaries. Following the variation of the fold points through parameter space, a minimum spring stiffness is identified that enables the landing gear to be locked in the retracted state. The bifurcation analysis also shows that the unlocking of a retracted landing gear should use an unlock force measure, rather than a position indicator, to de-couple the effects of the retraction and locking actuators. Overall, the study demonstrates that bifurcation analysis can enhance the understanding of the influence of design choices over a wide operating range where nonlinearity is significant

Dynamics near manifolds of equilibria of codimension one and bifurcation without parameters

We investigate the breakdown of normal hyperbolicity of a manifold of equilibria of a flow. In contrast to classical bifurcation theory we assume the absence of any flow-invariant foliation at the singularity transverse to the manifold of equilibria. We call this setting bifurcation without parameters. In the present paper we provide a description of general systems with a manifold of equilibria of codimension one as a first step towards a classification of bifurcations without parameters. This is done by relating the problem to singularity theory of maps.Comment: corrected typos, minor clarifications in the formulation of the main theore

Hysteresis in Adiabatic Dynamical Systems: an Introduction

We give a nontechnical description of the behaviour of dynamical systems governed by two distinct time scales. We discuss in particular memory effects, such as bifurcation delay and hysteresis, and comment the scaling behaviour of hysteresis cycles. These properties are illustrated on a few simple examples.Comment: 28 pages, 10 ps figures, AMS-LaTeX. This is the introduction of my Ph.D. dissertation, available at http://dpwww.epfl.ch/instituts/ipt/berglund/these.htm

Deterministic continutation of stochastic metastable equilibria via Lyapunov equations and ellipsoids

Numerical continuation methods for deterministic dynamical systems have been one of the most successful tools in applied dynamical systems theory. Continuation techniques have been employed in all branches of the natural sciences as well as in engineering to analyze ordinary, partial and delay differential equations. Here we show that the deterministic continuation algorithm for equilibrium points can be extended to track information about metastable equilibrium points of stochastic differential equations (SDEs). We stress that we do not develop a new technical tool but that we combine results and methods from probability theory, dynamical systems, numerical analysis, optimization and control theory into an algorithm that augments classical equilibrium continuation methods. In particular, we use ellipsoids defining regions of high concentration of sample paths. It is shown that these ellipsoids and the distances between them can be efficiently calculated using iterative methods that take advantage of the numerical continuation framework. We apply our method to a bistable neural competition model and a classical predator-prey system. Furthermore, we show how global assumptions on the flow can be incorporated - if they are available - by relating numerical continuation, Kramers' formula and Rayleigh iteration.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figures [Fig.7 reduced in quality due to arXiv size restrictions]; v2 - added Section 9 on Kramers' formula, additional computations, corrected typos, improved explanation