Degenerate relative equilibria, curvature of the momentum map, and homoclinic bifurcation

A fundamental class of solutions of symmetric Hamiltonian systems is relative equilibria. In this paper the nonlinear problem near a degenerate relative equilibrium is considered. The degeneracy creates a saddle-center and attendant homoclinic bifurcation in the reduced system transverse to the group orbit. The surprising result is that the curvature of the pullback of the momentum map to the Lie algebra determines the normal form for the homoclinic bifurcation. There is also an induced directional geometric phase in the homoclinic bifurcation. The backbone of the analysis is the use of singularity theory for smooth mappings between manifolds applied to the pullback of the momentum map. The theory is constructive and generalities are given for symmetric Hamiltonian systems on a vector space of dimension (2n+2) with an n-dimensional abelian symmetry group. Examples for n=1,2,3 are presented to illustrate application of the theory.     

Reduced spaces and their relation to relative equilibria

Summary It is known that the Hamiltonian motion of a mechanical system with symmetry induces Hamiltonian flows on reduced phase spaces. In this paper we apply Morse theory to study the relationship between the topology of the reduced space and the number of relative equilibria in the corresponding momentum level set. Our attention is restricted to simple mechanical systems with compact configuration space and compact symmetry group. We begin by showing that the set of relative equilibria in a level set of the momentum map is compact. We then employ techniques from Morse theory to prove that the number of orbits of relative equilibria with momentum in the coadjoint orbit of a given regular momentum value is bounded below by the the sum of Betti numbers of the corresponding reduced space when the Hamiltonian is fibre quadratic and the reduced Hamiltonian is nondegenerate. In addition, for a certain class of group actions on the configuration manifold, it is shown that the above result extends to Hamiltonians of the form potential plus kinetic.     

Dynamics of Axially Symmetric Perturbed Hamiltonians in 1:1:1 Resonance

We study the dynamics of a family of perturbed three-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian systems which are in 1:1:1 resonance. The perturbation consists of axially symmetric cubic and quartic arbitrary polynomials. Our analysis is performed by normalisation, reduction and KAM techniques. Firstly, the system is reduced by the axial symmetry, and then, periodic solutions and KAM 3-tori of the full system are determined from the relative equilibria. Next, the oscillator symmetry is extended by normalisation up to terms of degree 4 in rectangular coordinates; after truncation of higher orders and reduction to the orbit space, some relative equilibria are established and periodic solutions and KAM 3-tori of the original system are obtained. As a third step, the reduction in the two symmetries leads to a one-degree-of-freedom system that is completely analysed in the twice reduced space. All the relative equilibria together with the stability and parametric bifurcations are determined. Moreover, the invariant 2-tori (related to the critical points of the twice reduced space), some periodic solutions and the KAM 3-tori, all corresponding to the full system, are established. Additionally, the bifurcations of equilibria occurring in the twice reduced space are reconstructed as quasi-periodic bifurcations involving 2-tori and periodic solutions of the full system.     

Hamiltonian Systems near Relative Equilibria

We give explicit differential equations for the dynamics of Hamiltonian systems near relative equilibria. These split the dynamics into motion along the group orbit and motion inside a slice transversal to the group orbit. The form of the differential equations that is inherited from the symplectic structure and symmetry properties of the Hamiltonian system is analysed and the effects of time reversing symmetries are included. The results will be applicable to the stability and bifurcation theories of relative equilibria of Hamiltonian systems.     

Single-axis equilibrium orientations to the attracting center of a symmetrical prolate orbital gyrostat with an elastic rod

Under study in the restricted formulation is the motion of a symmetrical prolate stationary gyrostat along a Keplerian circular orbit in a central Newtonian field of forces. An elastic homogeneous rod, rectilinear in the undeformed state, is rigidly clamped by one end in the body of gyrostat along its axis of symmetry. There is a point mass at the free end of the rod. The inextensible elastic rod, for simplicity of constant circular cross-section, performs infinitesimal space oscillations in the process of system motion. In this case, we neglect the terms in the system’s tensor of inertia which are nonlinear with respect to displacements of the points of the rod.We consider the following (so-called semi-inverse) problem: Under what kinetic momentumof the flywheel, among the relative equilibriums of the system (the states of rest relative to the orbital coordinate system) does there exist an equilibrium such that the axis, arbitrarily chosen in the coordinate system associated with the gyrostat, is collinear with the local vertical? In the discretization of the problem, we present the values of the Lagrange coordinates that define the deformation of the rod for these equilibria and the value of gyrostatic moment providing the presence of the equilibrium in question.     

Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction for unfolding heteroclinic networks of equilibria and periodic orbits with tangencies

This article concerns arbitrary finite heteroclinic networks in any phase space dimension whose vertices can be a random mixture of equilibria and periodic orbits. In addition, tangencies in the intersection of un/stable manifolds are allowed. The main result is a reduction to algebraic equations of the problem to find all solutions that are close to the heteroclinic network for all time, and their parameter values. A leading order expansion is given in terms of the time spent near vertices and, if applicable, the location on the non-trivial tangent directions. The only difference between a periodic orbit and an equilibrium is that the time parameter is discrete for a periodic orbit. The essential assumptions are hyperbolicity of the vertices and transversality of parameters. Using the result, conjugacy to shift dynamics for a generic homoclinic orbit to a periodic orbit is proven. Finally, equilibrium-to-periodic orbit heteroclinic cycles of various types are considered.     

Complex dynamics of a simple 3D autonomous chaotic system with four-wing

The present paper revisits a three dimensional (3D) autonomous chaotic system with four-wing occurring in the known literature [Nonlinear Dyn (2010) 60(3): 443--457] with the entitle ``A new type of four-wing chaotic attractors in 3-D quadratic autonomous systems'' and is devoted to discussing its complex dynamical behaviors, mainly for its non-isolated equilibria, Hopf bifurcation, heteroclinic orbit and singularly degenerate heteroclinic cycles, etc. Firstly, the detailed distribution of its equilibrium points is formulated. Secondly, the local behaviors of its equilibria, especially the Hopf bifurcation, are studied. Thirdly, its such singular orbits as the heteroclinic orbits and singularly degenerate heteroclinic cycles are exploited. In particular, numerical simulations demonstrate that this system not only has four heteroclinic orbits to the origin and other four symmetry equilibria, but also two different kinds of infinitely many singularly degenerate heteroclinic cycles with the corresponding two-wing and four-wing chaotic attractors nearby.     

The equilibria and stability of a dynamically symmetrical satellite with a two-degree-of-freedom powered gyroscope

For a dynamically symmetrical satellite carrying a two-degree-of-freedom powered gyroscope, all the relative equilibria in a circular orbit are found as a function of the angular momentum of the rotor and the angle between the precession axis of the gyroscope and the plane of dynamical symmetry. The case with no spring on the axis of the gyroscope frame and the case with a spring whose stiffness satisfies definite conditions are considered. The secular stability of the equilibria is investigated. For a system with dissipation in the axis of the gyroscope frame, the Barbashin–Krasovskii theorem is used to perform a detailed analysis, which enables the character of the Lyapunov stability of all the equilibria to be determined, with the exception of a few points. The results of a numerical solution of the problem of the optimal values of the system parameters, for which asymptotically stable equilibria are obtained with maximum speed, are presented.     

Template-Based Stabilization of Relative Equilibria in Systems with Continuous Symmetry

We present an approach to the design of feedback control laws that stabilize relative equilibria of general nonlinear systems with continuous symmetry. Using a template-based method, we factor out the dynamics associated with the symmetry variables and obtain evolution equations in a reduced frame that evolves in the symmetry direction. The relative equilibria of the original systems are fixed points of these reduced equations. Our controller design methodology is based on the linearization of the reduced equations about such fixed points. We present two different approaches of control design. The first approach assumes that the closed loop system is affine in the control and that the actuation is equivariant. We derive feedback laws for the reduced system that minimize a quadratic cost function. The second approach is more general; here the actuation need not be equivariant, but the actuators can be translated in the symmetry direction. The controller resulting from this approach leaves the dynamics associated with the symmetry variable unchanged. Both approaches are simple to implement, as they use standard tools available from linear control theory. We illustrate the approaches on three examples: a rotationally invariant planar ODE, an inverted pendulum on a cart, and the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation with periodic boundary conditions.     

Linear stability of relative equilibria in the charged three-body problem

A relative equilibrium is a periodic orbit of the n-body problem that rotates uniformly maintaining the same central configuration for all time. In this paper we generalize some results of R. Moeckel and we apply it to study the linear stability of relative equilibria in the charged three-body problem. We find necessary conditions to have relative equilibria linearly stable for the collinear charged three-body problem, for planar relative equilibria we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for linear stability in terms of the parameters, masses and electrostatic charges. In the last case we obtain a stability inequality which generalizes the Routh condition of celestial mechanics. We also proof the existence of spatial relative equilibria and the existence of planar relative equilibria of any triangular shape.     

Heteroclinic Transition Motions in Periodic Perturbations of Conservative Systems with an Application to Forced Rigid Body Dynamics

We consider periodic perturbations of conservative systems. The unperturbed systems are assumed to have two nonhyperbolic equilibria connected by a heteroclinic orbit on each level set of conservative quantities. These equilibria construct two normally hyperbolic invariant manifolds in the unperturbed phase space, and by invariant manifold theory there exist two normally hyperbolic, locally invariant manifolds in the perturbed phase space. We extend Melnikov’s method to give a condition under which the stable and unstable manifolds of these locally invariant manifolds intersect transversely. Moreover, when the locally invariant manifolds consist of nonhyperbolic periodic orbits, we show that there can exist heteroclinic orbits connecting periodic orbits near the unperturbed equilibria on distinct level sets. This behavior can occur even when the two unperturbed equilibria on each level set coincide and have a homoclinic orbit. In addition, it yields transition motions between neighborhoods of very distant periodic orbits, which are similar to Arnold diffusion for three or more degree of freedom Hamiltonian systems possessing a sequence of heteroclinic orbits to invariant tori, if there exists a sequence of heteroclinic orbits connecting periodic orbits successively.We illustrate our theory for rotational motions of a periodically forced rigid body. Numerical computations to support the theoretical results are also given.     

Bifurcation and forced symmetry breaking in Hamiltonian systems

We consider the phenomenon of forced symmetry breaking in a symmetric Hamiltonian system on a symplectic manifold. In particular we study the persistence of an initial relative equilibrium subjected to this forced symmetry breaking. We see that, under certain nondegeneracy conditions, an estimate can be made on the number of bifurcating relative equilibria. To cite this article: F. Grabsi et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 338 (2004).     

Non-linear oscillations of a satellite at 1:1:1 resonance

The motion of a satellite about its centre of mass in a central Newtonian gravitational field is investigated. The satellite is considered to be a dynamically symmetrical rigid body. It is assumed that the ratio of the polar and equatorial principal central moments of inertia of the satellite is 4/3, or close to this. The orbit of the centre of mass is elliptic, and the orbit eccentricity is assumed to be small. In the limit case, when the orbit of the centre of mass is circular, a steady motion exists (corresponding to relative equilibrium of the satellite in the orbital system of coordinates) in which the axis of dynamic symmetry is directed along the velocity vector of the centre of mass of the satellite; here, the frequencies of the small linear oscillations of the axis of symmetry are equal or close to one another. But in an elliptic orbit of small eccentricity, multiple 1:1:1 resonance occurs in this case, as the oscillation frequencies mentioned are equal or close to the frequency of motion of the centre of mass of the satellite in orbit. The non-linear problem of the existence, bifurcations and stability of periodic motions of the satellite with a period equal to the rotation period of its centre of mass in orbit is investigated.     

Relative Equilibria of Molecules

Summary. We describe a method for finding the families of relative equilibria of molecules that bifurcate from an equilibrium point as the angular momentum is increased from 0 . Relative equilibria are steady rotations about a stationary axis during which the shape of the molecule remains constant. We show that the bifurcating families correspond bijectively to the critical points of a function h on the two-sphere which is invariant under an action of the symmetry group of the equilibrium point. From this it follows that for each rotation axis of the equilibrium configuration there is a bifurcating family of relative equilibria for which the molecule rotates about that axis. In addition, for each reflection plane there is a family of relative equilibria for which the molecule rotates about an axis perpendicular to the plane. We also show that if the equilibrium is nondegenerate and stable, then the minima, maxima, and saddle points of h correspond respectively to relative equilibria which are (orbitally) Liapounov stable, linearly stable, and linearly unstable. The stabilities of the bifurcating branches of relative equilibria are computed explicitly for XY ₂ , X ₃ , and XY ₄ molecules. These existence and stability results are corollaries of more general theorems on relative equilibria of G -invariant Hamiltonian systems that bifurcate from equilibria with finite isotropy subgroups as the momentum is varied. In the general case, the function h is defined on the Lie algebra dual {\frak g} ^* and the bifurcating relative equilibria correspond to critical points of the restrictions of h to the coadjoint orbits in {\frak g} ^* . Received June 9, 1997; second revision received December 15, 1997; final revision received January 19, 1998     

On relative normal modes

We generalize the Weinstein-Moser theorem on the existence of nonlinear normal modes near an equilibrium in a Hamiltonian system to a theorem on the existence of relative periodic orbits near a relative equilibrium in a Hamiltonian system with continuous symmetries. In particular, we prove that under appropriate hypotheses there exist relative periodic orbits near relative equilibria even when these relative equilibria are singular points of the corresponding moment map, i.e. when the reduced spaces are singular.     

Bifurcations of the relative equilibria of a gyrostat satellite for a special case of the alignment of its gyrostatic moment

The bifurcations of the equilibria of a gyrostat satellite with a centre of mass moving uniformly in a circular Kepler orbit around an attracting centre are investigated. It is assumed that the axis of rotation of a statically and dynamically balanced flywheel rotating at a constant relative angular velocity is fixed in the principal central plane of inertia of the gyrostat containing the axis of its mean moment of inertia and that it is not collinear with any principal central axis of inertia of the system. The problem is solved in a direct formulation, that is, the whole set of equilibria with respect to the orbital system of coordinates of the gyrostat satellite is determined using the given moments of inertia, the value of the gyroscopic moment and the direction cosines of the axis of rotation of the flywheel and the changes in this set are investigated as a function of the bifurcation parameter, that is, the magnitude of the gyrostatic moment of the system. A parametric analysis of the relative equilibria of the three possible classes of equilibria for a system in a circular orbit in a central Newtonian force field is carried out using computer algebra facilities.     

Non-linear oscillations of a 1:1 resonance Hamiltonian system

The non-linear oscillations of an autonomous two-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian system in the neighbourhood of its stable equilibrium position are considered. It is assumed that the Hamilton function is sign-definite in the neighbourhood of the equilibrium position and that the values of the frequencies of its linear oscillations are equal or close to one another (1:1 resonance). The investigation is carried out using the example of the problem of the motion of a dynamically symmetrical rigid body (satellite) about its centre of mass in a circular orbit in a central Newtonian gravitational field. In this problem there is relative equilibrium of the rigid body in the orbital system of coordinates, for which its axis of dynamic symmetry is directed along the velocity vector of the centre of mass. Resonance occurs when the ratio of the polar and equatorial principal central moments of inertia is equal to 4/3 or is close to it. The problem of the existence, bifurcation and orbital stability of the periodic motions of a rigid body generated from its relative equilibrium is solved. Some aspects of the existence of quasiperiodic motions are also considered.     

一种便于摄动分析的编队飞行卫星相对运动的描述

定义了一组参数来描述卫星编队飞行的相对运动,称为相对轨道要素．利用它可以方便地分析摄动对相对轨道构形的影响以及卫星编队队形的几何特点．首先,对相对轨道要素给予了详细的推导,指出当主星偏心率为小量时,在主星轨道坐标系中相对轨道是一椭圆柱和一平面相交所得的交线,用描述该椭圆柱和平面的参数即可确定相对轨道构形,进而提出了相对轨道要素．其次,利用相对轨道要素对相对轨道进行地球扁率摄动分析,指出相对轨道构形的变化由两部分组成:一是椭圆柱的漂移导致相对轨道中心的漂移,二是平面法线的章动和进动引起相对轨道平面转动,同时还给出了地球扁率摄动下相对轨道构形漂移率及转动率的解析公式．最后,针对J2摄动分析了卫星编队相对轨道构形的变化以及相对轨道构形的漂移量和转动量．     

A Study of the Motions of an Autonomous Hamiltonian System at a 1:1 Resonance

We examine the motions of an autonomous Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom in a neighborhood of an equilibrium point at a 1:1 resonance. It is assumed that the matrix of linearized equations of perturbed motion is reduced to diagonal form and the equilibrium is linearly stable. As an illustration, we consider the problem of the motion of a dynamically symmetric rigid body (satellite) relative to its center of mass in a central Newtonian gravitational field on a circular orbit in a neighborhood of cylindrical precession. The abovementioned resonance case takes place for parameter values corresponding to the spherical symmetry of the body, for which the angular velocity of proper rotation has the same value and direction as the angular velocity of orbital motion of the radius vector of the center of mass. For parameter values close to the resonance point, the problem of the existence, bifurcations and orbital stability of periodic rigid body motions arising from a corresponding relative equilibrium of the reduced system is solved and issues concerning the existence of conditionally periodic motions are discussed.