An introduction to chaos

Abstract

Chaos, apparently disordered behaviour which is nonetheless deterministic, is a universal phenomenon which occurs in many systems in all areas of science. For it to take place, the equations describing the situation must be nonlinear and, therefore, they are rarely solvable inclosed form. Since the advent of fast digital computers, the theory of nonlinear systems has become much more accessible to study and is now undergoing rapid development. We describe in this review paper some of the universal aspects of chaos and its ramifications in the field of electronics.