title: Maximal width of the separatrix chaotic layer.
abstract: The main goal of the paper is to find the absolute maximum of the width of the separatrix chaotic layer as function of the frequency of the time-periodic perturbation of a one-dimensional Hamiltonian system possessing a separatrix, which is one of the major unsolved problems in the theory of separatrix chaos. For a given small amplitude of the perturbation, the width is shown to possess sharp peaks in the range from logarithmically small to moderate frequencies. These peaks are universal, being the consequence of the involvement of the nonlinear resonance dynamics into the separatrix chaotic motion. Developing further the approach introduced in the recent paper by Soskin [Phys. Rev. E 77, 036221 (2008)], we derive leading-order asymptotic expressions for the shape of the low-frequency peaks. The maxima of the peaks, including in particular the absolute maximum of the width, are proportional to the perturbation amplitude times either a logarithmically large factor or a numerical, still typically large, factor, depending on the type of system. Thus, our theory predicts that the maximal width of the chaotic layer may be much larger than that predicted by former theories. The theory is verified in simulations. An application to the facilitation of global chaos onset is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Semiconductor Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Soskin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mannella
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009038:Motion; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods; D010825:Physics / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software