On Bifurcation Delay: An Alternative Approach Using Geometric Singular Perturbation Theory

Abstract: To explain the phenomenon of bifurcation delay, which occurs in planar systems of the form $\dot{x}=\epsilon f(x,z,\epsilon)$, $\dot{z}=g(x,z,\epsilon)z$, where $f(x,0,0)>0$ and $g(x,0,0)$ changes sign at least once on the $x$-axis, we use the Exchange Lemma in Geometric Singular Perturbation Theory to track the limiting behavior of the solutions. Using the trick of extending dimension to overcome the degeneracy at the turning point, we show that the limiting attracting and repulsion points are given by the well-known entry-exit function, and the maximum of $z$ on the trajectory is of order $\exp(-1/\epsilon)$. Also we prove smoothness the return map up to arbitrary finite order in $\epsilon$.