Theory and Applications of the Systematic Detection of Unstable Periodic Orbits in Dynamical Systems

A topological approach and understanding to the detection of unstable periodic orbits based on a recently proposed method (PRL 78, 4733 (1997)) is developed. This approach provides a classification of the set of transformations necessary for the finding of the orbits. Applications to the Ikeda and Henon map are performed, allowing a study of the distributions of Lyapunov exponents for high periods. Particularly the properties of the least unstable orbits up to period 36 are investigated and discussed.