The entry-exit theorem and relaxation oscillations in slow-fast planar systems (Q2304461)

The authors consider relaxation oscillation in a family of planar slow-fast dynamical systems that undergo a delayed loss of stability [\textit{S. Schecter}, J. Differ. Equations 60, 131--141 (1985; Zbl 0578.34025)]. They give an elementary proof of the underlying entry-exit theorem that does not rely on \textit{N. Fenichel}'s geometric singular perturbation theory (GSPT) [J. Differ. Equations 31, 53--98 (1979; Zbl 0476.34034)] or the desingularisation technique known as ``blow-up'' [\textit{F. Dumortier} and \textit{R. Roussarie}, Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 577 (1996; Zbl 0851.34057)] but, rather, on a direct study of the solution asymptotics. They then infer the existence of relaxation orbits in their given family by constructing a positively invariant annulus in a neighbourhood of an appropriately defined singular orbit and applying the Poincaré-Bendixson theorem; global uniqueness and orbital stability follow from an asymptotic formula they derive for the corresponding (non-trivial) Floquet multiplier. The authors consider various illustrative examples; notably, they describe periodic travelling waves in a diffusive Holling-type II predator-prey model. Finally, they extend their results to multiple relaxation oscillators, which they observe in a two-scale Holling-Tanner model with Holling-type IV functional response.