Scaling Properties of the Lorenz System and Dissipative Nambu

In the framework of Nambu Mechanics, we have recently argued that Non-Hamiltonian Chaotic Flows in R3, are dissipation induced deformations, of integrable volume preserving flows, specified by pairs of Intersecting Surfaces in R3. In the present work we focus our attention to the Lorenz system with a linear dissipative sector in its phase space dynamics. In this case the Intersecting Surfaces are Quadratic. We parametrize its dissipation strength through a continuous control parameter , acting homogeneously over the whole 3-dim. phase space. In the extended -Lorenz system we find a scaling relation between the dissipation strength and Reynolds number parameter r. It results from the scale covariance, we impose on the Lorenz equations under arbitrary rescalings of all its dynamical coordinates. Its integrable limit, ( = 0, fixed r), which is described in terms of intersecting Quadratic Nambu “Hamiltonians ” Surfaces, gets mapped on the infinite value limit of the Reynolds number parameter ( r → ∞, = 1). In effect weak dissipation, through small values, generates and controls the well explored Route to Chaos in the large r-value regime. The non-dissipative = 0 integrable limit is therefore the gateway to Chaos for the Lorenz system. †The present work is dedicated to the memory of Prof. J.S.Nicolis ar X i