Lyapunov exponents and Hodge theory
Abstract
Description
We started from computer experiments with simple one-dimensional ergodic dynamical systems called interval exchange transformations. Correlators in these systems decay as a power of time. In the simplest non-trivial case the exponent is equal to 1/3. We found a formula connecting characteristic exponents with explicit integrals over moduli spaces of algebraic curves with additional structures. Moreover, these integrals can be interpreted as correlators in a topological string theory. Also a new analogy arose between ergodic theory and complex algebraic geometry.
16 pages, Latex, extended version of the talk by one of us (M.K.) at the conference "Mathematical Beauty of Physics", Saclay, June 1996, dedicated to the memory of C.Itzykson
16 pages, Latex, extended version of the talk by one of us (M.K.) at the conference "Mathematical Beauty of Physics", Saclay, June 1996, dedicated to the memory of C.Itzykson