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Virginia Tech

The visualization of strange attractors in three dimensions

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The existence of strange attractors for dynamical systems with three variables is discussed. The structure and dimensionality of these attractors are observed with computer packages that have three dimensional viewing capabilities. The importance of visualizing these attractors is discussed. Some new visual tools developed for this purpose are introduced. These tools are then used to observe strange attractors for the Lorenz, Rossler, and Silnikov systems of equations. The solutions to the Lorenz equations are followed in detail for certain parameter values. Figures of the attractors are included to attempt to show the benefits of the new tools. There is an accompanying video that contains visualizations of the strange attractors to illustrate the three dimensional capability of the new tools. A comparison is made of current methods used to view attractors with the new tools. It is concluded that the three dimensional visualization of the structures is very important and beneficial for learning about the attractors.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Engineering Mechanics
Department dc:contributor.department
Engineering Mechanics
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1993

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Halsey, Tracy S.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Hendricks, Scott L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Kriz, Ronald D.
  • Cramer, Mark S.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-12172008-063458
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/46299

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Halsey, Tracy S.. The visualization of strange attractors in three dimensions. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/46299