Singular perturbations and a mapping on an interval for the forced van der Pol relaxation oscillator (Q1069192)

The authors consider the forced Van der Pol oscillator: \(D^ 2_ t+\nu (x^ 2-1)D_ tx+x=(\alpha \nu +\beta)k \cos kt\) with \(0<\alpha <2/3\), where \(D_ t=d/dt\). The first author has obtained in calculations reported elsewhere [Math. Centrum, Amsterdam, Afd. Toegepaste Wisk. TW207 (1980; Zbl 0436.35009); TW214 (1981; Zbl 0447.35008)] asymptotic solutions to the equation for large \(\nu\). The aim of the present paper is to analyze subharmonic and chaotic type solutions. To the very great credit of the authors, they frankly assert: ''It is emphasized that the approach is formal and that, for the type of problem we are dealing with, there is no proof of correctness that justifies this approach.''