The fifth Takagi Lectures
October 5, 2008 (Sun) 09:30--10:30
October 5, 2008 (Sun) 15:50--16:50
Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences
The University of Tokyo


Right-handed vector fields and the Lorenz attractor
Étienne Ghys
(CNRS - École Normale Supérieure de Lyon)


Abstract

These talks will discuss the dynamics of some vector fields in the 3-dimensional sphere, seen as topological objects. We shall introduce a concept of right-handed vector fields, somehow the analogue of positive braids, and we shall describe their dynamics. In particular, we shall show that their periodic orbits define fibered links. The Lorenz attractor will be our primary example of right-handed vector field, but we shall also supply many other natural examples.