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Title: Defining chaos

Journal Article · · Chaos (Woodbury, N. Y.)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4922973· OSTI ID:22482320
 [1];  [2]
  1. Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)
  2. Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)

In this paper, we propose, discuss, and illustrate a computationally feasible definition of chaos which can be applied very generally to situations that are commonly encountered, including attractors, repellers, and non-periodically forced systems. This definition is based on an entropy-like quantity, which we call “expansion entropy,” and we define chaos as occurring when this quantity is positive. We relate and compare expansion entropy to the well-known concept of topological entropy to which it is equivalent under appropriate conditions. We also present example illustrations, discuss computational implementations, and point out issues arising from attempts at giving definitions of chaos that are not entropy-based.

OSTI ID:
22482320
Journal Information:
Chaos (Woodbury, N. Y.), Vol. 25, Issue 9; Other Information: (c) 2015 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1054-1500
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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