Chaotic and Fractal Dynamics

Since the publication of Francis Moon′s Chaotic Vibrations in 1987, new discoveries in nonlinear dynamics have been made. Scientists and engineers have been particularly intrigued by the applications of these new ideas in chaotic dynamics and fractals to electrical, mechanical, as well as other physical systems. Retaining its unique emphasis on the physical nature of chaos, the latest edition of Moon′s highly regarded work on the phenomena of chaotic vibrations translates these new mathematical ideas in nonlinear dynamics into language that engineers and scientists can readily use and apply. The revisions and enhancements in Chaotic and Fractal Dynamics not only reflect new developments in this fast-moving field but are also responses to the requests of many readers who applauded the original edition′s stress on physical systems and experiments. Accordingly, this updated edition now includes:
∗ problems that appear at the end of every chapter making the book more suitable for use as a text
∗ an entirely new chapter devoted to summarizing basic concepts of coupled iterative difference equations or maps as they relate to chaotic dynamics
∗ more coverage of fractals, including an introduction to multifractals
∗ an expanded number of physical applications, including new references to experimental observations of chaos, along with appropriate mathematical models
∗ additional discussion of experimental tools used to predict and quantify chaotic dynamics in physical systems
∗ new material on empirical and theoretical criteria for chaos
∗ an introduction to a major new direction in chaos research- spatio-temporal dynamics
∗ more than 100 new references throughout the book and an expanded listing of chaotic toys and experiments in the appendices
Reflecting the vitality of new mathematical ideas in nonlinear dynamics, Chaotic and Fractal Dynamics will prove to be invaluable reading for applied scientists and engineers, including those involved in such diverse areas as mechanical and structural vibrations, nonlinear circuit design, control theory and robotics, machine noise, laser dyanmics, flow-induced motions, and chemical and bio-dynamics. With the addition of new problem sets in every chapter, the book will also serve the textbook needs of physics and engineering instructors in graduate courses in dynamics and chaos.