Ising-Type and Other Transitions in One-Dimensional Coupled Map Lattices with Sign Symmetry

We consider a one-dimensional lattice of expanding antisymmetric maps [–1, 1][–1, 1] with nearest neighbor diffusive coupling. For such systems it is known that if the coupling parameter is small there is unique stationary (in time) state, which is chaotic in space-time. A disputed question is whether such systems can exhibit Ising-type phase transitions as grows beyond some critical value _c. We present results from computer experiments which give definite indication that such a transition takes place: the mean square magnetization appears to diverge as approaches some critical value, with a critical exponent around 0.9. We also study other properties of the coupled map system.