Using Lagrangian descriptors to calculate the Maslov index of periodic orbits

Abstract

The Maslov index of a periodic orbit is an important piece in the semiclassical quantization of non-integrable systems, while almost all existing techniques that lead to a rigorous calculation of this index are elaborate and mathematically demanding. In this paper, we describe a straightforward technique, for systems with two degrees of freedom, based on the Lagrangian descriptors. Our method is illustrated by applying it to the two-dimensional coupled quartic oscillator.