Asymptotic scaling and universality for skew products with factors in SL(2,R)

Abstract

We consider skew-product maps over circle rotations $x\mapsto x+\alpha$ (mod 1) with factors that take values in SL(2,R). This includes maps of almost Mathieu type. In numerical experiments, with $\alpha$ the inverse golden mean, Fibonacci iterates of maps from the almost Mathieu family exhibit asymptotic scaling behavior that is reminiscent of critical phase transitions. In a restricted setup that is characterized by a symmetry, we prove that critical behavior indeed occurs and is universal in an open neighborhood of the almost Mathieu family. This behavior is governed by a periodic orbit of a renormalization transformation. An extension of this transformation is shown to have a second periodic orbit as well, and we present some evidence that this orbit attracts supercritical almost Mathieu maps.

arXiv commentFor the source code of our programs and possible updates, see https://web.ma.utexas.edu/users/koch/papers/skewunivers/

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