A numerical analysis of chaos in the double pendulum

We analyse the double pendulum system numerically, using a modified mid-point integrator. Poincare sections and bifurcation diagrams are constructed for certain, characteristic values of energy. The largest Lyapunov characteristic exponents are also calculated. All three methods confirm the passing of the system from the regular low-energy limit into chaos as energy is increased. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.