From template analysis to generating partitions. I: Periodic orbits, knots and symbolic encodings (Q1587668)

The distribution of unstable periodic orbits reflects essential topological properties of any chaotic attractor in a 3-dimensional flow. It can be described by a template or knot holder under suitable conditions, as was done in now classical work by \textit{J. S. Birman} and \textit{R. F. Williams} [Knotted periodic orbits in dynamical systems. I: Topology 22, 47-82 (1983; Zbl 0507.58038); II: Contemp. Math. 20, 1-60 (1983; Zbl 0526.58043)]. The authors develop a method to encode the knot theoretic information into symbolic dynamics. This involves Delaunay triangulations derived from partitions of a Poincaré plane. The encoding is done by finite approximations taking into account orbits of higher and higher periods. Its consistency is discussed, and its validity is checked in the context of numerical simulations concerning a chaotic attractor in a particular laser model. -- For Part II see the review Zbl 0098.37008 below.