Interaction between fold and Hopf curves leads to new bifurcation phenomena (Q582012)

The main thrust of this paper is a numerical study of certain types of degenerate points in three-dimensional parameter space, for the Brusselator reactor and a tubular reactor model. The underlying study is of steady-state solutions of \(du/dt=F(u,\alpha)\), F: \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\times {\mathbb{R}}^ n\to {\mathbb{R}}^ n\). The definitions of folds and Hopf points in single parameter problems \((p=1)\), of B-points in two-parameter problems \((p=2)\), and limit points of B-points in three- parameter problems \((p=3)\) are first reviewed. Then, homotopies characterizing paths of fold curves and paths of Hopf curves in \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\times {\mathbb{R}}^ 2\), and paths of B-points in \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\times {\mathbb{R}}^ 3\) are presented; the software package PITCON is then used to follow these paths. In the experiments, folds were first found by continuing along a path of steady-state solutions with \(p=1\). Paths of these folds were then followed in a space with \(p=2\), until B-points were encountered. Paths of these B-points were then continued with \(p=3\) until limit points were found. The behavior of the fold curves, Hopf curves, and branches of B- points was then studied near these limit points. Numerous computer- generated graphs appear, as well as analysis and interpretation of results. This paper may be value to persons wishing examples for further theoretical work in multiparameter bifurcation, as well as to persons interested in the reactor models studied. The thorough numerical experiments could also serve as a model for similar experiments.