Two-dimensional invariant manifolds and global bifurcations: some approximation and visualization studies

M.E. Johnson, M.S. Jolly, and I.G. Kevrekidis

Abstract

We illustrate and discuss the computer-assisted study (approximation and visualization) of two-dimensional (un)stable manifolds of steady states and saddle-type limit cycles for flows in $\rn$. Our investigation highlights a number of computational issues arising in this task, along with our solutions and ``quick-fixes'' for some of these problems. Two examples illustrative of both successes and shortcomings of our current approach are presented. Representative ``snapshots'' demonstrate the dependence of two-dimensional invariant manifolds on a bifurcation parameter as well as their interactions. Such approximation and visualization studies are a necessary component of the computer-assisted study and understanding of global bifurcations.

This article appears as University of Minnesota Supercomputer Institute Research Report Numbered 96/108, May 1996 and is also to appear in Numerical Algorithms, Vol. 14, (1997), No. I-III. Here you may find a Figure-less PostScript version, a Figure-less .dvi, and the figures inline in html format.


maejohns@alumni.Princeton.EDU