Intrinsic determination of the criticality of a slow-fast Hopf bifurcation (Q2665541)

Singular bifurcations in planar slow-fast systems are frequently studied by transformation of the corresponding vector fields into normal form which can, however, be cumbersome in practice. Recent work [\textit{M. Wechselberger}, Geometric singular perturbation theory beyond the standard form, Cham: Springer (2020; Zbl 1484.34001)] has emphasised an intrinsic representation of slow-fast vector fields wherein such bifurcations can be readily identified. Here, the authors extend these and related previous results [the first author et al., Canard cycles. From birth to transition. Cham: Springer (2021; Zbl 07384451)] by deriving a single formula which allows one not only to identify (singular) Hopf bifurcation points in planar slow-fast systems, but which also reveals the criticality of these bifurcations; in particular, it is worth noting that their formula can equally be applied in the context of singular Bogdanov-Takens bifurcation. In the process, the authors relate the formula to the ``skewness'' of the underlying fast and slow vector fields, and they argue that it lends itself naturally to implementation in computer algebra software. They illustrate their formula with two examples, the classic van der Pol oscillator and a slow-fast system in non-standard form, both of which admit Hopf bifurcations; finally, criticality conditions which were previously derived in [\textit{M. Krupa} and \textit{P. Szmolyan}, J. Differ. Equations 174, No. 2, 312-368 (2001; Zbl 0994.34032)] are revisited.