This book examines qualitative methods for nonlinear differential equations, bifurcation theory and chaos in terms suitable for advanced undergraduate and first-year postgraduate students in mathematics and physics. Starting from the idea of phase space, the structure of solutions near hyperbolic stationary points and periodic orbits in investigated. Then, after a brief discussion of perturbation methods and nonlinear oscillators, the theory of nonhyperbolic stationary points, bifurcations and chaos is described.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
1. Introduction; 2. Stability; 3. Linear differential systems; 4. Linearization and hyperbolicity; 5. Two-dimensional dynamics; 6. Periodic orbits; 7. Perturbation theory; 8. Bifurcation theory I: stationary points; 9. Bifurcation theory II: periodic orbits and maps; 10. Bifurcational miscellany; 11. Chaos; 12. Global bifurcation theory.