Basic concepts of synergetics

Abstract

The paper presents a brief outline of microscopic as well as of macroscopic synergetics. In microscopic synergetics we start from evolution equations for microscopic variables or densities in which fluctuating forces and control parameters are included. When control parameters are changed, the systems are studied close to instability points. The concepts of order parameters, enslaving, critical fluctuations, and critical slowing down are presented. In macroscopic synergetics unbiased estimates on distribution functions and underlying processes are made based on observed moments or correlation functions. In such a case, a Fokker-Planck equation or a corresponding Langevin equation may be derived. © 1993 Springer-Verlag.