Chaotic dynamics of an impact oscillator

Abstract
An impact oscillator is shown to exhibit complex dynamics. Its resonance response contains regions where, after an infinite cascade of period-doubling bifurcations, chaotic motion typical of a strange attractor is observed. The regions are bounded on both sides by subharmonic resonances. Quantitative agreements are obtained with the Feigenbaum scenario of chaos. This novel feature of a substantial marine technology program may be of general cross-disciplinary interest to mathematicians and physicists.

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