Zero-Hopf polynomial centers of third-order differential equations (Q1663167)

The authors consider a third-order Kukles differential equation, \(x'''=f_n(x,x',x'')\), where \(f_n\) is a real polynomial of degree \(n\). It is transformed into a polynomial differential system \(x'=y\), \(y'=z\), \(z'=f_n(x,y,z)\). A real singularity \((x,y,z)=(x_0,0,0)\) of the system is called a {zero-Hopf} singularity if its associated eigenvalues are \(i,-i,0\). A zero-Hopf singularity is called a 3-dimensional center if there is a neighborhood of it completely foliated by periodic orbits of the system, including continua of equilibria as trivial periodic orbits. It is shown that the quadratic family \((n=2)\) has no 3-dimensional center. Then all the 3-dimensional centers in the cubic homogeneous family are characterized. Finally a partial classification is given of the 3-dimensional centers at just one singularity of the full cubic family.