Teacher(s)
Language
English
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Prerequisites
LMAT1122 and LMAT1261 for the studentsenrolled in the Bachelor in physicswho wish to follow this teaching unitwithin theadditional module in physics.
Main themes
This teaching unit is an introduction to the concepts and methods of the theory of dynamical systems as well as its application to physics, chemistry, biology and engineering.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 |
a. Contribution of the teaching unit to the learning outcomes of the programme (PHYS2MA) 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 b. Specific learning outcomes of the teaching unit At the end of this teaching unit, the student will be able to : 1. use mathematical tools to characterise the properties of discrete and continuous non-linear systems; 2. characterise the chaotic dynamics of a system. |
Content
The teaching unitprovides the student with an introduction to the mathematical theory of dynamical systems and its applications to problems of physics, chemistry, biology and engineering.
The following topics are covered by the teaching unit:
1. Basic concepts: definition of a dynamical system, examples of continuous and discrete dynamic systems, hyperbolic points of equilibrium and stability, bifurcations (with examples from physics)
2. Linearisation, stable and unstable manifolds: the dynamics of linear systems, classification of two-dimensional fixed points, linearisation around hyperbolic fixed points, stable and unstable manifolds, perturbative analysis;
3. The Poincaré-Bendixon theorem: trapping regions, limit cycles and limit sets, the Poincaré map, the Poincaré-Bendixon theorem, applications (existence of periodic orbits, Liénard systems).
4. Periodic orbits, with a hint at phenomena of resonance
5. Discrete systems: basic concepts, chaos and sensitivity to initial conditions, itineraries, topological conjugation, the logistic map, Floquet multiplier, circle map
The following topics are covered by the teaching unit:
1. Basic concepts: definition of a dynamical system, examples of continuous and discrete dynamic systems, hyperbolic points of equilibrium and stability, bifurcations (with examples from physics)
2. Linearisation, stable and unstable manifolds: the dynamics of linear systems, classification of two-dimensional fixed points, linearisation around hyperbolic fixed points, stable and unstable manifolds, perturbative analysis;
3. The Poincaré-Bendixon theorem: trapping regions, limit cycles and limit sets, the Poincaré map, the Poincaré-Bendixon theorem, applications (existence of periodic orbits, Liénard systems).
4. Periodic orbits, with a hint at phenomena of resonance
5. Discrete systems: basic concepts, chaos and sensitivity to initial conditions, itineraries, topological conjugation, the logistic map, Floquet multiplier, circle map
Teaching methods
The learning activities consist of lectures and exercise sessions.
The lectures introduce fundamental concepts of the theory of nonlinear systems and their motivation through concrete examples from various scientific disciplines.
The main objective of the exercise sessions is the application of the theory to concrete examples.
The lectures introduce fundamental concepts of the theory of nonlinear systems and their motivation through concrete examples from various scientific disciplines.
The main objective of the exercise sessions is the application of the theory to concrete examples.
Evaluation methods
Assessment is based on a written examination. It covers the application of dynamical systems theory to concrete problems. It tests knowledge and understanding of the concepts covered in the theoretical course, the ability to analyse a dynamical systems problem, mastery of the computational techniques, and a coherent presentation of this analysis.
The continuous assessment result counts for 4 points out of 20: it will apply to each exam session and cannot be presented again.
The September examination, when taken, is oral with a written preparation.
The continuous assessment result counts for 4 points out of 20: it will apply to each exam session and cannot be presented again.
The September examination, when taken, is oral with a written preparation.
Online resources
The MoodleUCL website of this teaching unit contains a detailed plan of the covered topics, Jupyter notebook, a complete bibliography, exercise sheets and a collection of exam subjects from past years.
Bibliography
The main and only compulsary reference is available online.
Additional references used to prepare the lecture include
▷ S.H. Strogatz, Nonlinear dynamics and chaos. Westview Press 1 7 (2015).
▷ S. Wiggins, Introduction to Applied Nonlinear Dynamical Systems and Chaos, Springer (2003)
▷ R. Hilborn, Chaos and Nonlinear Dynamics: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers (2nd edn) , Oxford University Press (2000)
▷ H. Dijkstra, Nonlinear Physical Oceanography, A Dynamical Systems Approach to the Large Scale Ocean Circulation and El Ni˜no, Springer Science+Business Media (2000)
▷ Alligood K., T. Sauer and J. Yorke (1997), Chaos: An Introduction to Dynamical Systems, Springer (NewYork) ▷ Perko L. (2001), Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems, Springer, ISBN 978-1-4612-6526-9
Additional references used to prepare the lecture include
▷ S.H. Strogatz, Nonlinear dynamics and chaos. Westview Press 1 7 (2015).
▷ S. Wiggins, Introduction to Applied Nonlinear Dynamical Systems and Chaos, Springer (2003)
▷ R. Hilborn, Chaos and Nonlinear Dynamics: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers (2nd edn) , Oxford University Press (2000)
▷ H. Dijkstra, Nonlinear Physical Oceanography, A Dynamical Systems Approach to the Large Scale Ocean Circulation and El Ni˜no, Springer Science+Business Media (2000)
▷ Alligood K., T. Sauer and J. Yorke (1997), Chaos: An Introduction to Dynamical Systems, Springer (NewYork) ▷ Perko L. (2001), Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems, Springer, ISBN 978-1-4612-6526-9
Teaching materials
- Nonlinear dynamics - note de cours (M. Crucifix). Disponible en ligne gratuitement.
Faculty or entity
