Measuring chaos in rotating clusters

Abstract

Classical dynamics of clusters can be characterized in terms of the regularity of the motion along the constant energy surfaces. In the case of rotating clusters, this characterization strongly depends on angular momentum and the partitioning of the kinetic energy between the rotational and vibrational degrees of freedom. Here we review the-tools for such an analysis with special emphasis on the changes in Lyapunov exponents. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.