On Singular Orbits and Global Exponential Attractive Set of a Lorenz-Type System

Abstract

This paper deals with some unsolved problems of the global dynamics of a three-dimensional (3D) Lorenz-type system: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] by constructing a series of Lyapunov functions. The main contribution of the present work is that one not only proves the existence of singularly degenerate heteroclinic cycles, existence and nonexistence of homoclinic orbits for a certain range of the parameters according to some known results and LaSalle theorem but also gives a family of mathematical expressions of global exponential attractive sets for that system with respect to its parameters, which is available only in very few papers as far as one knows. In addition, numerical simulations illustrate the consistence with the theoretical conclusions. The results together not only improve and complement the known ones, but also provide support in some future applications.