Algebraic and analytical tools for the study of the period function (Q2249239)

The authors study the period function of the system \[ \dot x=p(x,y), \quad \dot y=q(x,y), \] which has a center at the origin and a first integral of the form \(H(x,y)=A(x)+B(x) y+C(x) y^2\) with \(A(0)=0\). It is also assumed that the system has an integrating factor, which depends only on \(x\). First, they give a criterion for estimation the number of critical periods in such systems and a necessary condition for the period function to be monotone. Then, the study of the number of critical periods bifurcating from the period annulus of an isochrone perturbed linearly inside a family of centers is performed. Four examples illustrating the obtained results are presented.