Predrag Cvitanovic
Encyclopedia
Predrag Cvitanović, is currently an endowed Professor of Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology
. He is highly regarded for his work in nonlinear dynamics
, particularly his contributions to periodic orbit theory. Perhaps his best-known work is his introduction of cycle expansions—that is, expansions based on using periodic orbit theory—to approximate chaotic dynamics in a controlled perturbative
way. This technique has proven to be widely useful for diagnosing and quantifying chaotic dynamics in problems ranging from atomic physics to neurophysiology.
assembly line upon first arriving in the United States. Cvitanović earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University
in 1973. Before joining the physics department at the Georgia Institute of Technology
he was the director of the Center for Chaos and Turbulence Studies and Carlsberg Foundation Research Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute
in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Cvitanović is a corresponding member of Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
, a recipient of the Research Prize of the Danish Physical Society, and a fellow of American Physical Society.
In 2009 Cvitanović was the recipient of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Prize
for his work in turbulence theory.
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
. He is highly regarded for his work in nonlinear dynamics
Chaos theory
Chaos theory is a field of study in mathematics, with applications in several disciplines including physics, economics, biology, and philosophy. Chaos theory studies the behavior of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions, an effect which is popularly referred to as the...
, particularly his contributions to periodic orbit theory. Perhaps his best-known work is his introduction of cycle expansions—that is, expansions based on using periodic orbit theory—to approximate chaotic dynamics in a controlled perturbative
Perturbation theory
Perturbation theory comprises mathematical methods that are used to find an approximate solution to a problem which cannot be solved exactly, by starting from the exact solution of a related problem...
way. This technique has proven to be widely useful for diagnosing and quantifying chaotic dynamics in problems ranging from atomic physics to neurophysiology.
Career
Cvitanović worked briefly on a General MotorsGeneral Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
assembly line upon first arriving in the United States. Cvitanović earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1973. Before joining the physics department at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
he was the director of the Center for Chaos and Turbulence Studies and Carlsberg Foundation Research Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute
Niels Bohr Institute
The Niels Bohr Institute is a research institute of the University of Copenhagen. The research of the institute spans astronomy, geophysics, nanotechnology, particle physics, quantum mechanics and biophysics....
in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Cvitanović is a corresponding member of Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts is the national academy of Croatia. It was founded in 1866 as the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts , and was known by that name for most of its existence.- History :...
, a recipient of the Research Prize of the Danish Physical Society, and a fellow of American Physical Society.
In 2009 Cvitanović was the recipient of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Prize
Humboldt Prize
The Humboldt Prize, also known as the Humboldt Research Award, is an award given by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to internationally renowned scientists and scholars, and is currently valued at € 60,000 with the possibility of further support during the prize winner's life. Up to one...
for his work in turbulence theory.
Books
- P. Cvitanović, R. Artuso, R. Mainieri, G. Tanner and G. Vattay, "Chaos: Classical and Quantum" Niels Bohr InstituteNiels Bohr InstituteThe Niels Bohr Institute is a research institute of the University of Copenhagen. The research of the institute spans astronomy, geophysics, nanotechnology, particle physics, quantum mechanics and biophysics....
, Copenhagen 2005 - P. Cvitanović, "Group Theory: Birdtracks, Lie's, and Exceptional Groups" Princeton University Press, Princeton 2008, available online at http://birdtracks.eu/