On sensitive dependence on initial conditions and existence of physical measure for 3-flows

Vitor Araujo

Published 2008-04-22, updated 2013-08-16Version 3

After reviewing known results on sensitiveness and also on robustness of attractors together with observations on their proofs, we show that for attractors of three-dimensional flows, robust chaotic behavior meaning sensitiveness to initial conditions for the past as well for the future for all nearby flows) is equivalent to the existence of certain hyperbolic structures. These structures, in turn, are associated to the existence of physical measures. In short in low dimensions, robust chaotic behavior for smooth flows ensures the existence of a physical measure.