Multiple double layers evolution to chaos in plasma through a cascade of sub-harmonic bifurcations

Summary form only given. Experimental results showed that the dynamics of a discharge plasma which self-structures as concentrically multiple double layers is capable of evolving towards chaos through a cascade of spatio-temporal sub-harmonic bifurcations when the applied constrain (in form of the voltage applied on a supplementary electrode immersed in plasma) is gradually increased. Considering that the plasma particles (electrons, ions, neutrals) move on fractal curves due to the collisions, a theoretical model able to explain the above scenario of evolution to chaos is build. Consequently, using the fractional revival formalism, a Reynolds´s fractional criterion of evolution to chaos through a cascade of spatio-temporal sub-harmonic bifurcations was stated. A good agreement was observed between the experimental results and those theoretically obtained.