Critical slowing down in one-dimensional maps and beyond (Q2492845)

This paper deals with a 1D map of the form \(x_{n+1}=\mu f(x_n)\) where \(\mu\) is a parameter. The author starts with the question: ``Where can one encounter objects with a genuine fractal dimension in the limiting sets of one-dimensional mappings?''. A one-dimensional map has only one Lyapunov exponent \(\lambda\). The Kaplan-Yorke conjecture on the relation between the Lyapunov exponents and Lyapunov dimension implies that when \(\lambda>0\) the dimension is 1, when \(\lambda<0\) the dimension is 0. The only possibility to have noninteger dimension occurs at parameter values where the Lyapunov exponent itself is zero. Three cases of isolated points on the parameter axis where the Lyapunov exponent is exactly zero are discussed. In the following text, the author describes his historical experience of working on critical dynamics near phase transitions. Further topics discussed are operation dimension of transient points, box-counting renormalization method and universal scaling.