We describe a method for analyzing the phase space structures of Hamiltonian
systems. This method is based on a time-frequency decomposition of a trajectory
using wavelets. The ridges of the time-frequency landscape of a trajectory,
also called instantaneous frequencies, enable us to analyze the phase space
structures. In particular, this method detects resonance trappings and
transitions and allows a characterization of the notion of weak and strong
chaos. We illustrate the method with the trajectories of the standard map and
the hydrogen atom in crossed magnetic and elliptically polarized microwave
fields.Comment: 36 pages, 18 figure
