Is the Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponent Field a Koopman Eigenfunction?

Abstract

This work serves as a bridge between two approaches to analysis of dynamical systems: the local, geometric analysis and the global, operator theoretic, Koopman analysis. We explicitly construct vector fields where the instantaneous Lyapunov exponent field is a Koopman eigenfunction. Restricting ourselves to polynomial vector fields to make this construction easier, we find that such vector fields do exist, and we explore whether such vector fields have a special structure, thus making a link between the geometric theory and the transfer operator theory.