Higher order Melnikov functions for studying limit cycles of some perturbed elliptic Hamiltonian vector fields (Q2423709)

The paper considers bifurcation of limit cycles in a two degrees of freedom system obtained as a (possibly non Hamiltonian) time-independent perturbation of a Hamiltonian system, i.e. \[ \dot{x} = (\partial H / \partial y) + \varepsilon f(x,y), \quad \dot{y} = - (\partial H / \partial x) + \varepsilon g(x,y);\] in particular, it is chosen to consider $ H = (1/2) (x^2 + y^2) - (2/3)x^3 + (a/4) x^4 $ (with $a\not=0$, $a \not= 8/9$) and $f,g$ cubic polynomials. \par The paper identifies cases in which the perturbed system is integrable, studies the Melnikov function, and determines an upper bound on the number of limit cycles which can bifurcate from the periodic orbits of the unperturbed Hamiltonian system.