THE EFFECT OF NONLINEAR DAMPING ON THE UNIVERSAL ESCAPE OSCILLATOR

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role of nonlinear dissipation on the universal escape oscillator. Nonlinear damping terms proportional to the power of the velocity are assumed and an investigation on its effects on the dynamics of the oscillator, such as the threshold of period-doubling bifurcation, fractal basin boundaries and how the basins of attraction are destroyed, is carried out. The results suggest that increasing the power of the nonlinear damping, has similar effects as of decreasing the damping coefficient for a linearly damped case, showing the very importance of the level or amount of energy dissipation.