Graduate Can a molecular dynamics simulation enter a limit cycle?

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Molecular dynamics simulations, based on classical Newtonian mechanics, operate in a 6N dimensional non-linear system due to the combination of position and momentum vectors for each particle. The nonlinearity in these systems can lead to chaotic behavior, raising the question of whether they can also enter a periodic attractor or limit cycle. Research indicates that non-symplectic methods may allow for the existence of limit cycles in these simulations. Further exploration of this topic has been prompted by related discussions on platforms like Stack Exchange. The inquiry highlights the complexity and potential for periodic behavior within molecular dynamics simulations.
dexterdev
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In my rough understanding Molecular Dynamics using Classical Newtonian mechanics is a 6N dimensional non linear system. 6N dimension because you have 3 position vectors and 3 momentum vectors for each N particles. Nonlinearity because of the terms in force fields. In principle this system can exhibit chaos. Also is there any small probability such that the system enters a periodic attractor ?
 
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Great question, I'll have to think about it.

Upon searching some stuff to refresh my mind I stumbled on a cross-post at stackexchange
This does give me some more info.

I found this link to google books which at least for me shows an example of a limit cycle in the case that your method isn't symplectic ("almost energy conserving" if you like to look at it that way).
 
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JorisL said:
Upon searching some stuff to refresh my mind I stumbled on a cross-post at stackexchange

That is my question at physics.SE.
 
Thread 'Unexpected irregular reflection signal from a high-finesse cavity'

Thread 'Unexpected irregular reflection signal from a high-finesse cavity'

I am observing an irregular, aperiodic noise pattern in the reflection signal of a high-finesse optical cavity (finesse ≈ 20,000). The cavity is normally operated using a standard Pound–Drever–Hall (PDH) locking configuration, where an EOM provides phase modulation. The signals shown in the attached figures were recorded with the modulation turned off. Under these conditions, when scanning the laser frequency across a cavity resonance, I expected to observe a simple reflection dip. Instead...
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