On a three-dimensional implementation of the baker's transformation

A three-dimensional, steady flow configuration intended to mimic the baker's map is studied by means of numerical simulation. The Poincare sections computed from a finite element solution of the velocity field show that the behavior is dominated by chaotic advection. The value obtained for the Lyapunov exponent is very close to the theoretical value of ln 2 predicted by the baker's map. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.