Noise-sustained structure, intermittency, and the Ginzburg-Landau equation (Q1079746)

The time-dependent generalized Ginzburg-Landau equation \[ {\ddot \psi}=a\psi -v\psi '+b\psi ''+c| \psi |^ 2\psi \] is an equation that is related to many physical systems. For example, this equation results from a perturbation expansion near the critical Reynolds number for a number of fluid systems. Under convectively unstable conditions (meaning that a small perturbation grows only in a moving frame of reference, while eventually damping at any given stationary point) this equation models an open-flow system, and low levels of external noise play an important role. In particular, the noise is selectively and spatially amplified forming spatially growing waves which saturate at some spatial point forming a dynamic structure. Also, external noise (or other external perturbation) is necessary for a nonzero solution (producing a noise-sustained structure), and the microscopic noise plays an important role in the macroscopic dynamics (e.g. intermittency). For some additional studies see the author, ''Spatially growing waves, intermittency, and convective chaos in an open-flow system'' (accepted for publication in Physica D); and the author and \textit{K. Kaneko}, ''Velocity- dependent Lyapunov exponents as a measure of chaos for open-flow systems'' (accepted for publication in Phys. Lett. A).