Synchronization of chaotic systems, a patently nonlinear phenomenon, has
emerged as a highly active interdisciplinary research topic at the
interface of physics, biology, applied mathematics and engineering
sciences. In this connection, time-delay systems described by delay
differential equations have developed as particularly
suitable tools for modeling specific dynamical systems. Indeed,
time-delay is ubiquitous in many physical systems, for example due to
finite
switching speeds of amplifiers in electronic circuits, finite lengths of
vehicles in traffic flows, finite signal propagation times in biological
networks and circuits, and quite generally whenever memory effects are
relevant.
This monograph presents the basics of chaotic time-delay systems and
their synchronization with an emphasis on the effects of time-delay
feedback which give rise to new collective dynamics.
Special attention is devoted to scalar chaotic/hyperchaotic time-delay
systems, and some higher order models, occurring in different branches
of science and technology as well as to the synchronization of their
coupled versions.
Last but not least, the presentation as a whole strives for a balance
between the necessary mathematical description of the basics
and the detailed presentation of real-world applications.