The aim of this book is to develop a unified approach to nonlinear science, which does justice to its multiple facets and to the diversity and richness of the concepts and tools developed in this field over the years. Nonlinear science emerged in its present form following a series of closely related and decisive analytic, numerical and experimental developments that took place over the past three decades. It appeals to an extremely large variety of subject areas, but, at the same time, introduces into science a new way of thinking based on a subtle interplay between qualitative and quantitative techniques, topological and metric considerations and deterministic and statistical views. Special effort has been made throughout the book to illustrate both the development of the subject and the mathematical techniques, by reference to simple models. Each chapter concludes with a set of problems. This book will be of great value to graduate students in physics, applied mathematics, chemistry, engineering and biology taking courses in nonlinear science and its applications.

This textbook provides an introduction to the new science of nonlinear physics for advanced undergraduates, beginning graduate students, and researchers entering the field. The chapters, by pioneers and experts in the field, share a unified perspective. Nonlinear science developed out of the increasing ability to investigate and analyze systems for which effects are not simply linear functions of their causes; it is associated with such well-known code words as chaos, fractals, pattern formation, solitons, cellular automata, and complex systems. Nonlinear phenomena are important in many fields, including dynamical systems, fluid dynamics, materials science, statistical physics, and paritcel physics. The general principles developed in this text are applicable in a wide variety of fields in the natural and social sciences. The book will thus be of interest not only to physicists, but also to engineers, chemists, geologists, biologists, economists, and others interested in nonlinear phenomena. Examples and exercises complement the text, and extensive references provide a guide to research in the field.

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. Contents:IntroductionNonlinear Oscillator without DissipationEquilibrium States of a Nonlinear Oscillator with DissipationOscillations in Systems with Nonlinear Dissipation-GeneratorsThe Van der Pol GeneratorThe Poincaré MapSlow and Fast Motions in Systems with One Degree of FreedomForced Nonlinear Oscillators: Linear and Nonlinear ResonancesForced Generator: SynchronizationCompetition of ModesPoincaré Indices and Bifurcations of Equilibrium StatesResonance Interactions between OscillatorsSolitonsSteady Propagation of Shock WavesFormation of Shock WavesSolitons. Shock Waves. Wave Interaction. The Spectral ApproachWeak Turbulence. Random Phase ApproximationRegular Patterns in Dissipative MediaDeterministic Chaos. Qualitative DescriptionDescription of a Circuit with Chaos. Chaos in MapsBifurcations of Periodic Motions. Period DoublingControlled Nonlinear Oscillator. IntermittencyScenarios of the Onset of Chaos. Chaos through Quasi-PeriodicityCharacteristics of Chaos. Experimental Observation of ChaosMultidimensional Chaos. Discrete Ginzburg-Landau ModelProblems to Accompany the Lectures Readership: Physicists. keywords: “These lecture notes briefly introduce the reader to new ideas, so would be a useful addition to a library or a source of ideas for lectures or projects; a good student may also find this text useful as a quick introduction to many new ideas.” Contemporary Physics “Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics for Physicists … is a compact and fairly terse high-level set of 24 lectures.” New Scientist

This textbook is aimed at newcomers to nonlinear dynamics and chaos, especially students taking a first course in the subject. The presentation stresses analytical methods, concrete examples, and geometric intuition. The theory is developed systematically, starting with first-order differential equations and their bifurcations, followed by phase plane analysis, limit cycles and their bifurcations, and culminating with the Lorenz equations, chaos, iterated maps, period doubling, renormalization, fractals, and strange attractors.

Problems and summaries after each chapter

Mathematics is playing an ever more important role in the physical and biological sciences, provoking a blurring of boundaries between scientific disciplines and a resurgence of interest in the modern as well as the classical techniques of applied mathematics. This renewal of interest, both in research and teaching, has led to the establishment of the series: Texts in Applied Mathematics ( TAM). The development of new courses is a natural consequence of a high level of excitement on the research frontier as newer techniques, such as numerical and symbolic computer systems, dynamical systems, and chaos, mix with and reinforce the traditional methods of applied mathematics. Thus, the purpose of this textbook series is to meet the current and future needs of these advances and encourage the teaching of new courses. TAM will publish textbooks suitable for use in advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses, and will complement the Applied Mathematical Sciences (AMS) series, which will focus on advanced textbooks and research level monographs. About the Authors Daniel Kaplan specializes in the analysis of data using techniques motivated by nonlinear dynamics. His primary interest is in the interpretation of irregular physiological rhythms, but the methods he has developed have been used in geo physics, economics, marine ecology, and other fields. He joined McGill in 1991, after receiving his Ph.D from Harvard University and working at MIT. His un dergraduate studies were completed at Swarthmore College. He has worked with several instrumentation companies to develop novel types of medical monitors.

One of the most unexpected results in science in recent years is that quite ordinary systems obeying simple laws can give rise to complex, nonlinear or chaotic, behavior. In this book, the author presents a unified treatment of the concepts and tools needed to analyze nonlinear phenomena and to outline some representative applications drawn from the physical, engineering, and biological sciences. Some of the interesting topics covered include: dynamical systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom, linear stability analysis of fixed points, nonlinear behavior of fixed points, bifurcation analysis, spatially distributed systems, broken symmetries, pattern formation, and chaotic dynamics. The author makes a special effort to provide a logical connection between ordinary dynamical systems and spatially extended systems, and to balance the emphasis on chaotic behavior and more classical nonlinear behavior. He also develops a statistical approach to complex systems and compares it to traditional deterministic phase space descriptions. This book is suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate students taking nonlinear courses from many different perspectives including physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering.