Potentials Unbounded Below

Thomas Curtright

Published 2010-11-28, updated 2011-04-26Version 3

Continuous interpolates are described for classical dynamical systems defined by discrete time-steps. Functional conjugation methods play a central role in obtaining the interpolations. The interpolates correspond to particle motion in an underlying potential, $V$. Typically, $V$ has no lower bound and can exhibit switchbacks wherein $V$ changes form when turning points are encountered by the particle. The Beverton-Holt and Skellam models of population dynamics, and particular cases of the logistic map are used to illustrate these features.