Universality of algebraic decays in Hamiltonian systems.

Hamiltonian systems with a mixed phase space typically exhibit an algebraic decay of correlations and of Poincaré recurrences, with numerical experiments over finite times showing system-dependent power-law exponents. We conjecture the existence of a universal asymptotic decay based on results for a Markov tree model with random scaling factors for the transition probabilities. Numerical simulations for different Hamiltonian systems support this conjecture and permit the determination of the universal exponent.

Nontwist non-Hamiltonian systems.

We show that the nontwist phenomena previously observed in Hamiltonian systems exist also in time-reversible non-Hamiltonian systems. In particular, we study the two standard collision-reconnection scenarios and we compute the parameter space breakup diagram of the shearless torus. Besides the Hamiltonian routes, the breakup may occur due to the onset of attractors. We study these phenomena in coupled phase oscillators and in non-area-preserving maps.

Nonequilibrium stationary states with ratchet effect.

An ensemble of particles in thermal equilibrium at temperature T, modeled by Nosè-Hoover dynamics, moves on a triangular lattice of oriented semidisk elastic scatterers. Despite the scatterer asymmetry, a directed transport is clearly ruled out by the second law of thermodynamics. Introduction of a polarized zero mean monochromatic field creates a directed stationary flow with nontrivial dependence on temperature and field parameters. We give a theoretical estimate of directed current induced by a microwave field in an antidot superlattice in semiconductor heterostructures.