Experimental validation of phase space conduits of transition between potential wells

TL;DR

This study experimentally confirms the existence of phase space conduits that govern transitions between potential wells in a macroscopic system, validating theoretical predictions with high accuracy despite dissipation.

Contribution

The paper provides experimental validation of phase space flux and conduits mediating transitions between potential wells, extending the concept from chemical dynamics to macroscopic systems.

Findings

Experimental regions of transition match theory within 1%

Phase space conduits are robust despite small dissipation

Validation applies to systems with two or more degrees of freedom

Abstract

A phase space boundary between transition and non-transition, similar to those observed in chemical reaction dynamics, is shown experimentally in a macroscopic system. We present a validation of the phase space flux across rank one saddles connecting adjacent potential wells and confirm the underlying phase space conduits that mediate the transition. Experimental regions of transition are found to agree with the theory to within 1\%, suggesting the robustness of phase space conduits of transition in a broad array of two or more degree of freedom experimental systems, despite the presence of small dissipation.