Abstract
This paper delves into the topics of Finite-Time Stabilization (FTS) and Finite-Time Contractive Stabilization (FTCS) for Fractional-Order Nonlinear Systems (FONSs). To address these issues, we employ a State-Dependent Delayed Impulsive Controller (SDDIC). By leveraging both Lyapunov theory and impulsive control theory, we establish sufficient conditions for achieving stability criteria for fractional-order systems. Initially, we employ the aforementioned sufficient conditions to derive stability criteria for general FONSs within the SDDIC framework, employing Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) techniques. Furthermore, we apply these theoretical findings to tackle the challenge of finite-time synchronization in fractional-order chaotic systems using the proposed SDDIC. We substantiate the efficacy of these theoretical advancements through numerical simulations that vividly demonstrate their capability to achieve finite-time synchronization in fractional-order cellular neural networks and fractional-order Chua’s circuits. Moreover, we introduce an innovative chaos-based multi-image encryption algorithm, thereby contributing significantly to the field. To ensure the algorithm’s robustness, we subject it to rigorous statistical tests, which confidently affirm its capacity to provide the requisite level of security.