Chaos and its implications

Starting with the very definition of chaos, we demonstrate that the study of chaos is not an abstract one but can lead to some useful practical applications. With the advent of some powerful mathematical techniques and with the availability of fast computers, it is now possible to study the fascinating phenomena of chaos — the subject which is truly interdisciplinary. The essential role played by fractals, strange attractors, Poincare maps, etc., in the study of chaotic dynamics, is briefly discussed. Phenomena of self-organization, coherence in chaos and control of chaos in plasmas is highlighted.