A theory for n-dimensional nonlinear dynamics on continuous vector fields

Abstract This paper systematically presents a theory for n -dimensional nonlinear dynamics on continuous vector fields. In this paper, a different view to look into the fundamental theory in dynamics is presented. The ideas presented herein are less formal and rigorous in an informal and lively manner. The ideas may give some inspirations in the field of nonlinear dynamics. The concepts of local and global flows are introduced to interpret the complexity of flows in nonlinear dynamic systems. Further, the global tangency and transversality of flows to the separatrix surface in nonlinear dynamical systems are discussed, and the corresponding necessary and sufficient conditions for such global tangency and transversality are presented. The e -domains of flows in phase space are introduced from the first integral manifold surface. The domain of chaos in nonlinear dynamic systems is also defined, and such a domain is called a chaotic layer or band. The first integral quantity increment is introduced as an important quantity. Based on different reference surfaces, all possible expressions for the first integral quantity increment are given. The stability of equilibriums and periodic flows in nonlinear dynamical systems are discussed through the first integral quantity increment. Compared to the Lyapunov stability conditions, the weak stability conditions for equilibriums and periodic flows are developed. The criteria for resonances in the stochastic and resonant, chaotic layers are developed via the first integral quantity increment. To discuss the complexity of flows in nonlinear dynamical systems, the first integral manifold surface is used as a reference surface to develop the mapping structures of periodic and chaotic flows. The invariant set fragmentation caused by the grazing bifurcation is discussed. The global grazing bifurcation is a key to determine the global transversality to the separatrix. The local grazing bifurcation on the first integral manifold surface in a single domain without separatrix is a mechanism for the transition from one resonant periodic flow to another one. Such a transition may occur through chaos. The global grazing bifurcation on the separatrix surface may imply global chaos. The complexity of the global chaos is measured by invariant sets on the separatrix surface. The invariant set fragmentation of strange attractors on the separatrix surface is central to investigate the complexity of the global chaotic flows in nonlinear dynamical systems. Finally, the theory developed herein is applied to perturbed nonlinear Hamiltonian systems as an example. The global tangency and tranversality of the perturbed Hamiltonian are presented. The first integral quantity increment (or energy increment) for 2 n -dimensional perturbed nonlinear Hamiltonian systems is developed. Such an energy increment is used to develop the iterative mapping relation for chaos and periodic motions in nonlinear Hamiltonian systems. Especially, the first integral quantity increment (or energy increment) for two-dimensional perturbed nonlinear Hamiltonian systems is derived, and from the energy increment, the Melnikov function is obtained under a certain perturbation approximation. Because of applying the perturbation approximation, the Melnikov function only can be used for a rough estimate of the energy increment. Such a function cannot be used to determine the global tangency and transversality to the separatrix surface. The global tangency and transversality to the separatrix surface only can be determined by the corresponding necessary and sufficient conditions rather than the first integral quantity increment. Using the first integral quantity increment, limit cycles in two-dimensional nonlinear systems is discussed briefly. The first integral quantity of any n -dimensional nonlinear dynamical system is very crucial to investigate the corresponding nonlinear dynamics. The theory presented in this paper needs to be further developed and to be treated more rigorously in mathematics.