Stochastic and chaotic relaxation oscillations (Q1116542)

For relaxation oscillators stochastic and chaotic dynamics are investigated. The effect of random perturbations upon the period is computed. For an extended system with additional state variables chaotic behavior can be expected. As an example, the Van der Pol oscillator is changed into a third-order system admitting period doubling and chaos in a certain parameter range. The distinction between chaotic oscillation and oscillation with noise is explored. Return maps, power spectra, and Lyapunov exponents are analyzed for that purpose.