Abstract :
We present a method for the detection and characterization of periodic motions in the dynamics
of complex systems. In contrast to other commonly used approaches, e.g., empirical
orthogonal functions, principal oscillation patterns, singular spectrum analyses, this method
is oriented towards scalar quantities, therefore, it does not require the introduction of an arbitrary
metric in the space of the dynamical variables. Nonlinear effects are included; needless
to say, the higher the non-linearities included the longer and more complicated the actual
calculations become. We are trying the method on a Lorenz model and on a simple model of
the dynamics of the atmosphere.
