The Pyragas method for controlling chaos is investigated in detail from the experimental as well as theoretical point of view. We show by an analytical stability analysis that the revolution around an unstable periodic orbit governs the success of the control scheme. Our predictions concerning the transient behaviour of the control signal are confirmed by numerical simulations and an electronic circuit experiment.

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For controlling periodic orbits with delayed feedback methods the periodicity has to be known a priori. We propose a simple scheme, how to detect the period of orbits from properties of the control signal, at least if a periodic but nonvanishing signal is observed. We analytically derive a simple expression relating the delay, the control amplitude, and the unknown period. Thus, the latter can be computed from experimentally accessible quantities. Our findings are confirmed by numerical simulations and electronic circuit experiments.

The performance of time-delayed feedback control is studied by linear stability analysis. Analytical approximations for the resulting eigenvalue spectrum are proposed. Our investigations demonstrate that eigenbranches that develop from the stable Lyapunov exponents of the free system also have a strong influence on the control properties, either by hybridization or by a crossing of branches which interchanges the role of the leading eigenvalue. Our findings are confirmed by numerical analysis of two particular examples, the Toda and the Rossler models. More important is the verification by actual electronic circuit experiments. Here, the observed reduction of control domains can be attributed to these additional eigenvalue branches. The investigations lead to a thorough analytical understanding of the stability properties in time-delayed feedback systems.