How does the Smaller Alignment Index (SALI) distinguish order from chaos?

The ability of the Smaller Alignment Index (SALI) to distinguish chaotic from ordered motion, has been demonstrated recently in several publications.\cite{Sk01,GRACM} Basically it is observed that in chaotic regions the SALI goes to zero very rapidly, while it fluctuates around a nonzero value in ordered regions. In this paper, we make a first step forward explaining these results by studying in detail the evolution of small deviations from regular orbits lying on the invariant tori of an {\bf integrable} 2D Hamiltonian system. We show that, in general, any two initial deviation vectors will eventually fall on the ``tangent space'' of the torus, pointing in different directions due to the different dynamics of the 2 integrals of motion, which means that the SALI (or the smaller angle between these vectors) will oscillate away from zero for all time.Comment: To appear in Progress of Theoretical Physics Supplemen

Coupled symplectic maps as models for subdiffusive processes in disordered Hamiltonian lattices

© 2015 IMACS We investigate dynamically and statistically diffusive motion in a chain of linearly coupled 2-dimensional symplectic McMillan maps and find evidence of subdiffusion in weakly and strongly chaotic regimes when all maps of the chain possess a saddle point at the origin and the central map is initially excited. In the case of weak coupling, there is either absence of diffusion or subdiffusion with q > 1-Gaussian probability distributions, characterizing weak chaos. However, for large enough coupling and already moderate number of maps, the system exhibits strongly chaotic (q≈1) subdiffusive behavior, reminiscent of the subdiffusive energy spreading observed in a disordered Klein–Gordon Hamiltonian. Our results provide evidence that coupled symplectic maps can exhibit physical properties similar to those of disordered Hamiltonian systems, even though the local dynamics in the two cases is significantly different

Bifurcations, Chaos, Controlling and Synchronization of Certain Nonlinear Oscillators

In this set of lectures, we review briefly some of the recent developments in the study of the chaotic dynamics of nonlinear oscillators, particularly of damped and driven type. By taking a representative set of examples such as the Duffing, Bonhoeffer-van der Pol and MLC circuit oscillators, we briefly explain the various bifurcations and chaos phenomena associated with these systems. We use numerical and analytical as well as analogue simulation methods to study these systems. Then we point out how controlling of chaotic motions can be effected by algorithmic procedures requiring minimal perturbations. Finally we briefly discuss how synchronization of identically evolving chaotic systems can be achieved and how they can be used in secure communications.Comment: 31 pages (24 figures) LaTeX. To appear Springer Lecture Notes in Physics Please Lakshmanan for figures (e-mail: [email protected]