Rebecca Crossley

In this paper we compare the method of Lagrangian descriptors with the classical method of Poincaré maps for revealing the phase space structure of two-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian systems. The comparison is carried out by considering the dynamics of a twodegree- of-freedom system having a valley ridge inflection point (VRI) potential energy surface. VRI potential energy surfaces have four critical points: a high energy saddle and a lower energy saddle separating two wells. In between the two saddle points is a valley ridge inflection point that is the point where the potential energy surface geometry changes from a valley to a ridge. The region between the two saddles forms a reaction channel and the dynamical issue of interest is how trajectories cross the high energy saddle, evolve towards the lower energy saddle, and select a particular well to enter. Lagrangian descriptors and Poincaré maps are compared for their ability to determine the phase space structures that govern this dynamical process.