Lorenz-like systems and Lorenz-like attractors: Definition, examples, and equivalences

Since the early 1970s, numerous systems exhibiting an algebraic structure resembling that of the 1963 Lorenz system have been proposed. These systems have occasionally yielded the same attractor as the Lorenz system, while in other cases, they have not. Conversely, some systems that are evidently distinct from the Lorenz system, particularly in terms of symmetry, have resulted in attractors that bear a resemblance to the Lorenz attractor. In this paper, we put forward a definition for Lorenz-like systems and Lorenz-like attractors. The former definition is based on the algebraic structure of the governing equations, while the latter relies on topological characterization. Our analysis encompasses over 20 explicitly examined chaotic systems.