Generalized Lyapunov exponent as a unified characterization of dynamical instabilities

Abstract

The Lyapunov exponent characterizes an exponential growth rate of the difference of nearby orbits. A positive Lyapunov exponent is a manifestation of chaos. Here, we propose the Lyapunov pair, which is based on the generalized Lyapunov exponent, as a unified characterization of non-exponential and exponential dynamical instabilities in one-dimensional maps. Chaos is classified into three different types, i.e., super-exponential, exponential, and sub-exponential dynamical instabilities. Using one-dimensional maps, we demonstrate super-exponential and sub-exponential chaos and quantify the dynamical instabilities by the Lyapunov pair. In sub-exponential chaos, we show super-weak chaos, which means that the growth of the difference of nearby orbits is slower than a stretched exponential growth. The scaling of the growth is analytically studied by a recently developed theory of a continuous accumulation process, which is related to infinite ergodic theory.