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In this work we present a set-oriented path following method for the computation of relative global attractors of parameter-dependent dynamical systems. We start with an initial approximation of the relative global attractor for a fixed parameter $\lambda_0$ computed by a set-oriented subdivision method. By using previously obtained approximations of the parameter-dependent relative global attractor we can track it with respect to a one-dimensional parameter $\lambda > \lambda_0$ without restarting the whole subdivision procedure. We illustrate the feasibility of the set-oriented path following method by exploring the dynamics in models for shear flows during the transition to turbulence., Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures

The appearance of travelling-wave-type solutions in pipe Poiseuille flow that are disconnected from the basic parabolic profile is numerically studied in detail. We focus on solutions in the 2-fold azimuthally-periodic subspace because of their special stability properties, but relate our findings to other solutions as well. Using time-stepping, an adapted Krylov-Newton method and Arnoldi iteration for the computation and stability analysis of relative equilibria, and a robust pseudo-arclength continuation scheme we unfold a double-zero (Takens-Bogdanov) bifurcating scenario as a function of Reynolds number (Re) and wavenumber (k). This scenario is extended, by the inclusion of higher order terms in the normal form, to account for the appearance of supercritical modulated waves emanating from the upper branch of solutions at a degenerate Hopf bifurcation. These waves are expected to disappear in saddle-loop bifurcations upon collision with lower-branch solutions, thereby leaving stable upper-branch solutions whose subsequent secondary bifurcations could contribute to the formation of the phase space structures that are required for turbulent dynamics at higher Re., Comment: 26 pages, 15 figures (pdf and png). Submitted to J. Fluid Mech

In shear flows like pipe flow and plane Couette flow there is an extended range of parameters where linearly stable laminar flow coexists with a transient turbulent dynamics. When increasing the amplitude of a perturbation on top of the laminar flow, one notes a a qualitative change in its lifetime, from smoothly varying and short one on the laminar side to sensitively dependent on initial conditions and long on the turbulent side. The point of transition defines a point on the edge of chaos. Since it is defined via the lifetimes, the edge of chaos can also be used in situations when the turbulence is not persistent. It then generalises the concept of basin boundaries, which separate two coexisting attractors, to cases where the dynamics on one side shows transient chaos and almost all trajectories eventually end up on the other side. In this paper we analyse a two-dimensional map which captures many of the features identified in laboratory experiments and direct numerical simulations of hydrodynamic flows. The analysis of the map shows that different dynamical situations in the edge of chaos can be combined with different dynamical situations in the turbulent region. Consequently, the model can be used to develop and test further characterisations that are also applicable to realistic flows., Comment: 24 pages, 9 color figures

Energy theory for incompressible Newtonian fluids is, in many cases, capable of producing strong absolute stability criteria for steady flows. In those fluids the kinetic energy naturally defines a norm in which perturbations decay monotonically in time at sufficiently low (but non-zero) Reynolds numbers. There are, however, at least two obstructions to the generalization of such methods to Oldroyd-B fluids. One previously recognized problem is the fact that the natural energy does not correspond to a proper functional norm on perturbations. Another problem, original to this work, is the fact that fluctuations in Oldroyd-B fluids may be subject to non-normal amplification at arbitrarily low Reynolds numbers (albeit at sufficiently large Weissenberg numbers). Such transient growth, occuring even when the base flow is linearly stable, precludes the uniform monotonic decay of any reasonable measure of the disturbance's amplitude., Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, to appear in J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech

We investigate spatial and temporal cross-correlations between streamwise and normal velocity components in three shear flows: a low-dimensional model for vortex-streak interactions, direct numerical simulations for a nearly homogeneous shear flow and experimental data for a turbulent boundary layer. A driving of streamwise streaks by streamwise vortices gives rise to a temporal asymmetry in the short time correlation. Close to the wall or the bounding surface in the free-slip situations, this asymmetry is identified. Further away from the boundaries the asymmetry becomes weaker and changes character, indicating the prevalence of other processes. The systematic variation of the asymmetry measure may be used as a complementary indicator to separate different layers in turbulent shear flows. The location of the extrema at different streamwise displacements can be used to read off the mean advection speed; it differs from the mean streamwise velocity because of asymmetries in the normal extension of the structures., Comment: 10 pages, 7 Postscript figures (low quality due to downsizing)

We study the effects of additive noise on the lifetimes of chaotic repellors. Using first order perturbation theory we argue that noise will increase the lifetime if the escape holes lie in regions where the unperturbed density is higher than in the immediate vicinity and that it decreases if the density is lower. Numerical experiments support the qualitative conclusions also beyond perturbation theory., Comment: 6 pages, 11 figures

A family of three-dimensional travelling waves for flow through a pipe of circular cross section is identified. The travelling waves are dominated by pairs of downstream vortices and streaks. They originate in saddle-node bifurcations at Reynolds numbers as low as 1250. All states are immediately unstable. Their dynamical significance is that they provide a skeleton for the formation of a chaotic saddle that can explain the intermittent transition to turbulence and the sensitive dependence on initial conditions in this shear flow., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures

We report an experimental and numerical study of turbulent fluid motion in a free surface. The flow is realized experimentally on the surface of a tank filled with water stirred by a vertically oscillating grid positioned well below the surface. Particles floating on the surface are used to visualize the flow. The effect of surface waves appears to be negligible. The flow is unconventional in that it is confined to two dimensions but does not have squared vorticity as a conservation law, that it is not divergence free and that it inherits scaling features of the mean square velocity differences S_2(R) and the vorticity fluctuations Omega(R) from the bulk 3-d turbulence., Comment: 4 pages, 4 Postscript figures

We show that strongly localized wave functions occur around classical bifurcations. Near a saddle node bifurcation the scaling of the inverse participation ratio on Planck's constant and the dependence on the parameter is governed by an Airy function. Analytical estimates are supported by numerical calculations for the quantum kicked rotor., Comment: 4 pages in PS including 3 figures, submitted to Localization 99

We consider the fluctuations of electromagnetic fields in chaotic microwave cavities. We calculate the transversal and longitudinal correlation function based on a random wave assumption and compare the predictions with measurements on two- and three-dimensional microwave cavities., Comment: Europhys style, 8 pages, 3 figures (included)

The eigenvalue statistics of quantum ideal gases with single particle energies $e_n=n^\alpha$ are studied. A recursion relation for the partition function allows to calculate the mean density of states from the asymptotic expansion for the single particle density. For integer $\alpha>1$ one expects and finds number theoretic degeneracies and deviations from the Poissonian spacing distribution. By semiclassical arguments, the length spectrum of the classical system is shown to be related to sums of integers to the power $\alpha/(\alpha-1)$. In particular, for $\alpha=3/2$, the periodic orbits are related to sums of cubes, for which one again expects number theoretic degeneracies, with consequences for the two point correlation function., Comment: 16 pages incl. figures, ignore warnings

Semiclassical expansions for traces involving Greens functions have two contributions, one from the periodic or recurrent orbits of the classical system and one from the phase space volume, i.e. the paths of infinitesimal length. Quantitative calculations require the control of both terms. Here, we discuss the contribution from paths of zero length with an emphasis on the application to Franck-Condon transitions. The expansion in the energy representation is asymptotic and a critical parameter is identified. In the time domain, a series expansion of the logarithm of the propagator gives very good results. The expansions are illustrated for transitions onto a linear potential and onto a harmonic oscillator., Comment: 11 pages, Revtex, 7 figures, Encapsulated Postscript, submitted to Phys. Rev. A

We analyze in detail a one-dimensional stochastically driven running sandpile. The dynamics shows three different phases, depending on the on-site relaxation rate and stochastic driving rate. Two phases are characterized by the presence of travelling waves. The third shows algebraic relaxation., Comment: 19 pages PostScript; use uudecode and uncompress. 12 PostScript figures available by anonymous ftp://hpa.icbm.uni-oldenburg.de/dist/papers/sandpile/ . Comments and requests to becker@icbm.uni-oldenburg.de

An extension of Gutzwiller's (1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1990) semiclassical theory for chaotic systems that allows a determination of matrix elements in terms of classical periodic orbits. Associated zeta functions are derived. The semiclassical predictions are found to be in good agreement with Fourier transforms of quantum spectra of hydrogen in a magnetic field. Expressions for off-diagonal matrix elements are derived that are extensions of the Bohr correspondence relations for integrable systems.