Date: Tue, November 7, 17:15-19:15 Place: Room An301, An Block, IIS, The University of Tokyo Invited Speaker: Prof. Rajarshi Roy (University of Maryland) Title: Chaotic yet consistent? Synchronization of driven nonlinear systems Abstract: Dynamical systems respond to external signals in several different ways. We explore experimentally how complex waveforms (chaotic or noisy) with different characteristics generate responses in driven nonlinear optical systems. We look first at generalized synchronization, when the system is driven by a chaotic waveform recorded from the system itself. We then enlarge the set of drive signals to include noisy waveforms. The notion of "consistency" describes how a system may respond to either type of repetitive driving, starting from different initial conditions. Numerical simulations of mathematical models of the optical systems reveal the role of internal noise, dynamical instabilities as well as the influence of drive waveform design on the consistency of response. We point out possible applications of these ideas to dynamical non-destructive testing of structures and devices - biological, mechanical, electronic and optical.