Application of the Generalized Alignment Index (GALI) method to the dynamics of multi--dimensional symplectic maps

Abstract

We study the phase space dynamics of multi--dimensional symplectic maps, using the method of the Generalized Alignment Index (GALI). In particular, we investigate the behavior of the GALI for a system of N=3 coupled standard maps and show that it provides an efficient criterion for rapidly distinguishing between regular and chaotic motion.