Diffusion along transition chains of invariant tori and Aubry-Mather sets (Q2873991)

This paper describes a general way to establish existence of diffusing orbits for a broad class of dynamical systems. It goes well beyond systems that are small perturbations of integrable Hamiltonian systems to include some systems that are not Hamiltonian. The authors' method requires existence of certain geometrical objects that serve as organizing element for the dynamics. Topological methods are then used to prove existence of diffusing orbits.NEWLINENEWLINE These assumptions are made about the dynamical system and geometry:NEWLINENEWLINE (1) the phase space includes a normally hyperbolic invariant manifold diffeomorphic to a two-dimensional annulus;NEWLINENEWLINE (2) the restriction of the dynamics to the annulus is an area-preserving twist map;NEWLINENEWLINE (3) the annulus contains sequences of invariant one-dimensional tori that form transition chains;NEWLINENEWLINE (4) transition chains and gaps created by resonances are interspersed; andNEWLINENEWLINE (5) each gap has a prescribed finite collection of Aubry-Mather sets.NEWLINENEWLINE The authors proof is constructive and shows that there are trajectories that follow the transition chains, cross over the gaps and follow the Aubry-Mather sets within each gap -- doing so in any order specified.