Poincaré section

This simulation explores the biperiodic attractor of the following dynamical system:
x' = x (a - b + z + d (1-z2)) - c y
y' = y (a - b + z + d (1-z2)) + c x
z' = a z - (x2 + y2 + z2)
where each ' denotes a time derivative and, by default, a = 2.01, b = 3, c = 0.25 and d = 0.2.



Activities

  1. Press Start and, after a while, Clear, to see only the asymptotic solution (i.e., the behavior on the attractor).
  2. To fully appreciate the bagel form of the attractor, uncheck Plane and use the mouse to change the projection view. (You may also want to set Ω = 0 to avoid the constant change of viewpoint.)
  3. Is the asymptotic solution periodic?
  4. Find the fixed points (i.e., the point (x,y,z) at which x' = y' = z' = 0) and use you favorite computing tool to discuss their stability.
  5. What happens for other parameter values?



This is an English translation of the Basque original for a course on mechanics, oscillations and waves.
It requires Java 1.5 or newer and was created by Juan M. Aguirregabiria with Easy Java Simulations (Ejs) by Francisco Esquembre. I thank Wolfgang Christian and Francisco Esquembre for their help.