Monotonicity of the period function of the Liénard equation of second kind (Q1641977)

Consider the Hamiltonian system \[ {dx\over dt}= {y\over \mu(x)},\quad {dy\over dt}= {\mu'(x)\over 2\mu^2(x)}\,y^2- V'(x),\tag{\(*\)} \] where \(\mu\) and \(V\) are smooth functions, and \(V\) satisfies \(V(0)= V'(0)= 0\), \(V''(0)>0\). The authors derive conditions on \(\mu\) and \(V\) such that the period function of \((*)\) is monotone increasing. System \((*)\) represents the Liénard equation of the second kind \[ {d^2x\over dt^2}+ f(x)\Biggl({dx\over dt}\Biggr)^2+ g(x)= 0. \] The case \(\mu(x)\equiv 1\) in \((*)\) has been treated by \textit{C. Chicone} [J. Differ. Equations 69, 310--321 (1987; Zbl 0622.34033)].