Numerical computations of Liapunov exponents for a discretized one-dimensional nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation

We use the method of computing numerically the maximal Liapunov characteristics exponent in order to test the stochasticity of a particular model of coupled oscillators, describing a discretized one-dimensional nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation. Such a model was studied, from a different point of view by Fucito et al. and by Butera et al. The result is that a transition to stochasticity occurs when one passes from low energies to higher energies, and furthermore that the stochasticity decreases, tending to zero, at very high energies. © 1983 Società Italiana di Fisica.