Dynamics of the Lorenz--Robbins system with control (Q2507787)

The paper considers the Lorenz-Robbins system with high Rayleigh number \(r\) \[ \dot w =-zy+\varepsilon (1-w),\quad \dot z=wy-\varepsilon z,\quad \dot y=z-\varepsilon\sigma y,\tag{1} \] with \(0<\varepsilon =\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{r\sigma}}\ll 1\). By using the generalized Melnikov method developed by Wiggins and Holmes to analyze the dynamics of three dimensional slowly varying systems, the existence of periodic and homoclinic orbits is rigorously proved. The stability of the periodic is analyzed and it is shown that the existence of nontransverse but symmetrical homoclinic orbits implies the existence of chaos. Some numerical simulations are presented. The results obtained show rigorously not only the existence of chaotic dynamics in system (1), but solve a disagreement on the conditions for the existence of periodic orbits. In addition, it is shown that a simple adaptive control algorithm recently developed by the first author [Stabilizing near-nonhyperbolic chaotic systems with applications. Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 214101 (2004)] can be used to control successfully the chaotic mixing of the Lorenz flows with high Rayleigh number. This gives a new insight into fluid control techniques.