Existence of the Lyapunov exponent for $S$-unimodal maps

In this paper, we show that for any $S$-unimodal map $T$ on $[0,1]$ with a non-flat critical point the Lyapunov exponent exists for Lebesgue almost every point and is equal to a constant $\lambda_T\in\mathbb{R}$. Moreover, $\lambda_T=0$ if and only if $T$ admits neither an absolutely continuous $T$-invariant probability measure with positive entropy nor a strictly stable periodic orbit. Consequently, if an $S$-unimodal map with a non-flat critical point is infinitely renormalizable or non-statistical then for Lebesgue almost every $x\in [0,1]$ the Lyapunov exponent along the orbit of $x$ exists and is equal to $0$. A key ingredient is the following result of independent interest. If an $S$-unimodal map with a non-flat critical point has no periodic attractor then for Lebesgue almost every $x\in [0,1]$ the lower Lyapunov exponent along the orbit of $x$ is non-negative. This shows that, in the absence of periodic attractors, exponential contraction cannot occur along the orbit of Lebesgue almost every point.