Detection of limit cycle bifurcations using harmonic balance methods

Abstract

In this paper, bifurcations of limit cycles close to certain singularities of the vector fields are explored using an algorithm based on the harmonic balance method, the theory of nonlinear feedback systems and the monodromy matrix. Period-doubling, pitchfork and Neimark–Sacker bifurcations of cycles are detected close to a Gavrilov–Guckenheimer singularity in two modified Rössler systems. This special singularity has a zero eigenvalue and a pair of pure imaginary eigenvalues in the linearization of the flow around its equilibrium. The presented results suggest that the proposed technique can be promising in analyzing limit cycle bifurcations arising in the unfoldings of other complex singularities.