A versatile class of prototype dynamical systems for complex bifurcation cascades of limit cycles

Abstract: We introduce a versatile class of prototype dynamical systems for the study of complex bifurcation cascades of limit cycles, including bifurcations breaking spontaneously a symmetry of the system, period doubling bifurcations and transitions to chaos induced by sequences of limit cycle bifurcations. The prototype system consist of a $2d$-dimensional dynamical system with friction forces $f(V(\mathbf{x}))$ functionally dependent exclusively on the mechanical potential $V(\mathbf{x})$, which is typically characterized, here, by a finite number of local minima. We present examples for $d=1,2$ and simple polynomial friction forces $f(V)$, where the zeros of $f(V)$ regulate the relative importance of energy uptake and dissipation respectively, serving as bifurcation parameters. Starting from simple Hopf- and homoclinic bifurcations, complex sequences of limit cycle bifurcation are observed when energy uptake gains progressively in importance.