Predictability of noise-controlled dynamics

Noise-controlled dynamics runs counter to usual intuition: the larger the noise the more regular the solutions. We present numerical and analytical results for a set of three stochastic partial differential equations in one space dimension, motivated by the intermittent destabilization of tall thin convection cells by horizontal shear. Time-series are predictable in the sense that they follow limit cycles with a small variation in amplitude from cycle to cycle. Closer inspection reveals that the amplitude is determined by very small amounts of noise. ©1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved