Investigating the Stickiness in a Potential Well

Abstract

In this work, we use the finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) for a version of the potential well model with an oscillating bottom. This model is described by a conservative two-dimensional mapping that exhibits a mixed phase space, namely it contains a sea of chaos and the regions of stability. Via FTLE, we show that throughout its orbit, an initial condition in the chaotic sea can become trapped in a certain region. We construct and analyze phase spaces for different ranges of Lyapunov exponents in finite time, highlighting these traps. For smaller and larger values of FTLE, we identified a very regular phase space and a phase space with more chaos. By means of low FTLE values, we observe some small regions in the phase space that present regularities. Therefore, we demonstrate that FTLE can be useful to identify the stickiness effect in a time-dependent potential well.