Turning point properties as a method for the characterization of the ergodic dynamics of one-dimensional iterative maps.

Dynamical as well as statistical properties of the ergodic and fully developed chaotic dynamics of iterative maps are investigated by means of a turning point analysis. The turning points of a trajectory are hereby defined as the local maxima and minima of the trajectory. An examination of the turning point density directly provides us with the information of the position of the fixed point for the corresponding dynamical system. Dividing the ergodic dynamics into phases consisting of turning points and nonturning points, respectively, elucidates the understanding of the organization of the chaotic dynamics for maps. The turning point map contains information on any iteration of the dynamical law and is shown to possess an asymptotic scaling behaviour which is responsible for the assignment of dynamical structures to the environment of the two fixed points of the map. Universal statistical turning point properties are derived for doubly symmetric maps. Possible applications of the observed turning point properties for the analysis of time series are discussed in some detail. (c) 1997 American Institute of Physics.