Lyapunov exponents for expansive homeomorphisms

Abstract: Let (M,d) be a compact metric space and f:M --> M an expansive homeomorphism. We define Lyapunov exponents L(f,m){max} and l(f,mu){min} for an f-invariant measure m. When L(f,m){max} > 0 and l(f,mu){min} < 0 can be interpreted as a weak form of hyperbolicity for f. We prove that if M is a Peano space then there is g>0 such that L(f,m){max} > g and l(f,m){min}< - g. We also show that the hypothesis that M is a Peano space is necessary to obtain the maximal Lyapunov exponent positive and the minimal Lyapunov exponent negative. Moreover we define Lyapunov exponents for K, a compact f-invariant subset of M and prove that if the maximal Lyapunov exponent of K is negative then K is an attractor. When f is a diffeomorphism on a compact manifold, these Lyapunov exponents coincide with the usual ones.