This book deals with a series of topics on the cutting edge of nonlinear science, striking a balance between theory and experiment. It consists of two innovative introductory presentations on dynamical systems and fluid dynamics and six chapters on advanced research. A nontrivial interrelation between the different topics becomes apparent throughout the book as an indication of the underlying unity and genericity of nonlinear phenomena. There is a continuous emphasis on conceptual issues often introduced via concrete examples. A common feature is that most of the systems under study are extended, nonhomogeneous and far from equilibrium. The book also exhibits an interesting interplay between deterministic and stochastic approaches.

Phase transitions in disordered systems and related dynamical phenomena are a topic of intrinsically high interest in theoretical and experimental physics. This book presents a unified view, adopting concepts from each of the disjoint fields of disordered systems and nonlinear dynamics. Special attention is paid to the glass transition, from both experimental and theoretical viewpoints, to modern concepts of pattern formation, and to the application of the concepts of dynamical systems for understanding equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of fluids and solids. The content is accessible to graduate students, but will also be of benefit to specialists, since the presentation extends as far as the topics of ongoing research work.

Phase transitions in disordered systems and related dynamical phenomena are a topic of intrinsically high interest in theoretical and experimental physics. This book presents a unified view, adopting concepts from each of the disjoint fields of disordered systems and nonlinear dynamics. Special attention is paid to the glass transition, from both experimental and theoretical viewpoints, to modern concepts of pattern formation, and to the application of the concepts of dynamical systems for understanding equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of fluids and solids. The content is accessible to graduate students, but will also be of benefit to specialists, since the presentation extends as far as the topics of ongoing research work.

Introduction to the concepts, applications, theory, and technique of chaos. Suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students and researchers. Requires familiarity with differential equations and linear vector spaces. 1990 edition.

Engineering systems have played a crucial role in stimulating many of the modern developments in nonlinear and stochastic dynamics. After 20 years of rapid progress in these areas, this book provides an overview of the current state of nonlinear modeling and analysis for mechanical and structural systems. This volume is a coherent compendium written by leading experts from the United States, Canada, Western and Eastern Europe, and Australia. The 22 articles describe the background, recent developments, applications, and future directions in bifurcation theory, chaos, perturbation methods, stochastic stability, stochastic flows, random vibrations, reliability, disordered systems, earthquake engineering, and numerics. The book gives readers a sophisticated toolbox that will allow them to tackle modeling problems in mechanical systems that use stochastic and nonlinear dynamics ideas. An extensive bibliography and index ensure this volume will remain a reference standard for years to come.

This series of lectures aims to address three main questions that anyone interested in the study of nonlinear dynamics should ask and ponder over. What is nonlinear dynamics and how does it differ from linear dynamics which permeates all familiar textbooks? Why should the physicist study nonlinear systems and leave the comfortable territory of linearity? How can one progress in the study of nonlinear systems both in the analysis of these systems and in learning about new systems from observing their experimental behavior? While it is impossible to answer these questions in the finest detail, this series of lectures nonetheless successfully points the way for the interested reader. Other useful problems have also been incorporated as a study guide. By presenting both substantial qualitative information about phenomena in nonlinear systems and at the same time sufficient quantitative material, the author hopes that readers would learn how to progress on their own in the study of such similar material hereon.

This self-contained treatment covers all aspects of nonlinear dynamics, from fundamentals to recent developments, in a unified and comprehensive way. Numerous examples and exercises will help the student to assimilate and apply the techniques presented.