Minimal \(P\)-symmetric period problem of first-order autonomous Hamiltonian systems (Q2358372)

The Hamiltonian equation \(\dot x=J\nabla H(x)\) is considered. It is assumed that \(H\) is a non-negative function of class \(C^2\) with positive definite Hessian and satisfying the Rabinowitz-type conditions. Moreover, \(H\) is \(P\) invariant, where \(P\) is a symplectic matrix such that \(P^k\) is equal to the identity \(I\), and \(P^m\neq I\) for \(m=1,\ldots,k-1\). The main theorem states that for every \(\tau>0\) the equation has a non-constant solution \(x\) such that \(x(\tau)=Px(0)\) and \(k\tau\) is its minimal \(P\)-symmetric period, i.e., \(k\tau\) is equal to the minimum of \(\lambda>0\) such that \(x(t+\lambda/k)=P(x(t))\) for every \(t\). The proof is based on the modified Maslov index introduced in the paper [\textit{C. Liu}, Chin. Ann. Math., Ser. B 27, No. 4, 441--458 (2006; Zbl 1106.37010)].