We present a proof that a system consisting of any finite number of particles that move under the action of a scalar potential at constant kinetic energy exhibits conjugate pairing of Lyapunov exponents; that is, the Lyapunov exponents come in pairs, which sum to the same constant. This result generalizes previous results, because it is independent of the size of the system.

• Received 21 December 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.53.R5545