Principle of vibrational control: Theory and applications

The principle of vibrational control is presented. This principle consists in the introduction of such vibrations (with zero mean value) of the dynamic system parameters which modify the properties of the system in a desired manner. Unlike conventional control principles, vibrational control does not require measurements of deviations and disturbances. Classes of dynamic systems are described where the vibrational control is effective for ensuring:. 1) the stability, 2) the desired properties of the transient motions, and 3) the desired properties of the dynamic system response to the external disturbance. Applications of the vibrational control are also considered which include method of alternating-gradient focusing in particle accelerators and vibrational stabilization of glow discharge in powerful continuous gas lasers. Vibrational control principle seems to be useful in cases where feedback and feedforward principles cannot be applied.