We propose a dynamical systems approach to the study of weak turbulence(spatiotemporal chaos) based on the periodic orbit theory, emphasizing the role of recurrent patterns and coherent structures. After a brief review of the periodic orbit theory and its application to low-dimensional dynamics, we discuss its possible extension to study dynamics of spatially extended systems. The discussion is three-fold. First, we introduce a novel variational scheme for finding periodic orbits in high-dimensional systems. Second, we prove rigorously the existence of periodic structures (modulated amplitude waves) near the first instability of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, and check their role in pattern formation. Third, we present the extensive numerical exploration of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky system in the chaotic regime: structure of the equilibrium solutions, our search for the shortest periodic orbits, description of the chaotic invariant set in terms of intrinsic coordinates and return maps on the Poincare section.

The term spatiotemporal chaos refers to physical phenomena that exhibit irregular oscillations in both space and time. Examples of such phenomena range from cardiac dynamics to fluid turbulence, where the motion is described by nonlinear partial differential equations. It is well known from the studies of low dimensional chaotic systems that the state space, the space of solutions to the governing dynamical equations, is shaped by the invariant sets such as equilibria, periodic orbits, and invariant tori. State space of partial differential equations is infinite dimensional, nevertheless, recent computational advancements allow us to find their invariant solutions (exact coherent structures) numerically. In this thesis, we try to elucidate the chaotic dynamics of nonlinear partial differential equations by studying their exact coherent structures and invariant manifolds. Specifically, we investigate the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation, which describes the velocity of a flame front, and the Navier-Stokes equation for an incompressible fluid in a circular pipe. We argue with examples that this approach can lead to a theory of turbulence with predictive power.

We investigate chaotic ionization of highly excited hydrogen atom in crossed electric and magnetic fields (Rydberg atom) and intra-molecular relaxation in planar carbonyl sulfide (OCS) molecule. The underlying theoretical framework of our studies is dynamical systems theory and periodic orbit theory. These theories offer formulae to compute expectation values of observables in chaotic systems with best accuracy available in given circumstances, however they require to have a good control and reliable numerical tools to compute unstable periodic orbits. We have developed such methods of computation and partitioning of the phase space of hydrogen atom in crossed at right angles electric and magnetic fields, represented by a two degree of freedom (dof) Hamiltonian system. We discuss extensions to a 3-dof setting by developing the methodology to compute unstable invariant tori, and applying it to the planar OCS, represented by a 3-dof Hamiltonian. We find such tori important in explaining anomalous relaxation rates in chemical reactions. Their potential application in Transition State Theory is discussed.