Chaotic dynamics and resonances in Einstein-Rosen standing wave spacetimes

Abstract

Recent work has revealed chaotic geodesic behavior in Einstein-Rosen standing gravitational wave spacetimes. The dynamics of massive test particles are dominated by chaotic heteroclinic networks. This study demonstrates that the dynamical structure of the system is far richer than previously thought. Applying the subharmonic Melnikov function method to Poincaré maps reveals the admissible types of heteroclinic networks. I trace the evolution of these structures under the continuous change of the solution's parameters. In this way, I identify bifurcation phenomena, including a period-doubling bifurcation.