The d∞ parameter to characterise chaotic dynamics

In this paper, an asymptotic measure is introduced in order to characterise chaotic dynamics. This is the asymptotic distance between trajectories d_∞, which can actually help either as a complementary measure to Lyapunov exponents, or as an alternative parameter characterising chaos when Lyapunov exponents are either very difficult, or impossible to work out. Some analytical relationships between the leading Lyapunov exponent and the values of d_∞ both for discrete maps and continuous systems are reported, together with experimental comparisons drawn from the simulation of Chua´s circuit in different operational conditions