Lyapunov spectrum of asymptotically sub-additive potentials (Q981723)

Let \(X\) be a compact metric space and \(T: X\to X\) be continuous. The sequence \(\Phi= \{\log\phi_n\}\) is a sub-additive potential if each \(\phi_n\) is continuous, nonnegative and satisfies \(\phi_{n+m}(x)\leq \phi_n(x)\phi_m(T^n x)\) for all \(x\in X\), \(m,n\in\mathbb{N}\). Similarly, the notion of asymptotically sub-additive potential is defined. In this case \[ \lambda_\Phi(x)= \lim_{n\to\infty} {\log\phi_n(x)\over n} \] is called the Lyapunov exponent of \(\Phi\) at \(x\) (if the limit exists). It is known that \(\lambda_\Phi(x)= \Phi_*(\mu)\), for \(\mu\) a.e. \(x\in X\), where \[ \Phi_*(\mu)= \lim_{n\to\infty} \int{\log \phi_n(x)\over n} d\mu(x), \] when \(\mu\) is an ergodic \(T\)-invariant probability measure on \(X\). In this paper the authors study the distribution of the Lyapunov exponents of \(\Phi\), and they establish some variational relations between the topological entropy of the level sets of \(\lambda_\Phi\), measure theoretic entropies and topological pressure in this general situation. Examples are given to illustrate the irregularity and complexity of the multifractal behavior in the subadditive case, and in the case where the entropy is not upper semi-continuous (a concept proposed by \textit{L. Barreira}, \textit{Y. Pesin} and \textit{J. Schmeling} [Chaos 7, No. 1, 27--38 (1997; Zbl 0933.37002)]).