This paper provides a first example of constructing Lyapunov functions in a class of piecewise linear systems with limit cycles. The method of construction helps analyze and control complex oscillating systems through novel geometric means. Special a
ttention is stressed upon a problem not formerly solved: to impose consistent boundary conditions on the Lyapunov function in each linear region. By successfully solving the problem, the authors construct continuous Lyapunov functions in the whole state space. It is further demonstrated that the Lyapunov functions constructed explain for the different bifurcations leading to the emergence of limit cycle oscillation.
Global dynamical behaviors of the competitive Lotka-Volterra system even in 3-dimension are not fully understood. The Lyapunov function can provide us such knowledge once it is constructed. In this paper, we construct explicitly the Lyapunov function
in three examples of the competitive Lotka-Volterra system for the whole state space: (1) the general 2-dimensional case; (2) a 3-dimensional model; (3) the model of May-Leonard. The dynamics of these examples include bistable case and cyclical behavior. The first two examples are the generalized gradient system defined in the Appendixes, while the model of May-Leonard is not. Our method is helpful to understand the limit cycle problems in general 3-dimensional case.
We find exact mappings for a class of limit cycle systems with noise onto quasi-symplectic dynamics, including a van der Pol type oscillator. A dual role potential function is obtained as a component of the quasi-symplectic dynamics. Based on a stoch
astic interpretation different from the traditional Itos and Stratonovichs, we show the corresponding steady state distribution is the familiar Boltzmann-Gibbs type for arbitrary noise strength. The result provides a new angle for understanding processes without detailed balance and can be verified by experiments.
In this paper, we demonstrate, first in literature known to us, that potential functions can be constructed in continuous dissipative chaotic systems and can be used to reveal their dynamical properties. To attain this aim, a Lorenz-like system is pr
oposed and rigorously proved chaotic for exemplified analysis. We explicitly construct a potential function monotonically decreasing along the systems dynamics, revealing the structure of the chaotic strange attractor. The potential function can have different forms of construction. We also decompose the dynamical system to explain for the different origins of chaotic attractor and strange attractor. Consequently, reasons for the existence of both chaotic nonstrange attractors and nonchaotic strange attractors are clearly discussed within current decomposition framework.
We provide a constructive proof on the equivalence of two fundamental concepts: the global Lyapunov function in engineering and the potential function in physics, establishing a bridge between these distinct fields. This result suggests new approache
s on the significant unsolved problem namely to construct Lyapunov functions for general nonlinear systems through the analogy with existing methods on potential functions. In addition, we show another connection that the Lyapunov equation is a reduced form of the generalized Einstein relation for linear systems.
