Finite-time Lyapunov fluctuations and the upper bound of classical and quantum out-of-time-ordered expansion rate exponents

Abstract: This Letter demonstrates for chaotic maps (logistic, classical and quantum standard maps (SMs)) that the exponential growth rate ($\Lambda$) of the out-of-time-ordered four-point correlator (OTOC) is equal to the classical Lyapunov exponent ($\lambda$) \textit{plus} fluctuations ($\Delta^{\mbox{\tiny (fluc)}}$) of the one-step finite-time Lyapunov exponents (FTLEs). Jensen's inequality provides the upper bound $\lambda\le\Lambda$ for the considered systems. Equality is restored with $\Lambda = \lambda + \Delta^{\mbox{\tiny (fluc)}}$, where $\Delta^{\mbox{\tiny (fluc)}}$ is quantified by $k$-higher-order cumulants of the FTLEs. Exact expressions for $\Lambda$ are derived and numerical results using $k = 20$ furnish $\Delta^{\mbox{\tiny (fluc)}} \sim\ln{(\sqrt{2})}$ for \textit{all maps} (large kicking intensities in the SMs).