Controlling and synchronizing space time chaos

Control and synchronization of continuous space-extended systems is realized by means of a finite number of local tiny perturbations. The perturbations are selected by an adaptive technique, and they are able to restore each of the independent unstable patterns present within a space time chaotic regime, as well as to synchronize two space time chaotic states. The effectiveness of the method and the robustness against external noise is demonstrated for the amplitude and phase turbulent regimes of the one-dimensional complex: Ginzhurg-Landau equation. The problem of the minimum number of local perturbations necessary to achieve control is discussed as compared with the number of independent spatial correlation lengths. [S1063-651X(99)00806-5].