A simple algorithm for testing the stability of periodic solutions of some nonlinear oscillators with large time delay (Q413056)

The paper is devoted to the following delay differential equation with weak nonlinearity \[ \ddot{x}(t)+kx(t)+c\dot{x}(t)+k_1x(t-\tau)+k_2\dot{x}(t-\tau)= \varepsilon f(x(t),\dot{x}(t),x(t-\tau),\dot{x}(t-\tau),t), \tag{1} \] where \(f(\cdot,\cdot,\cdot,\cdot,t)\) is periodic in \(t\). It is assumed that for \(\varepsilon=0\) the corresponding linear equation has characteristic roots of negative real parts only, except for one pair of characteristic roots on the imaginary axis. Eq.~(1) covers the delayed Duffing oscillator and the delayed van der Pol oscillator. Using the amplitude-frequency equation and the Lambert W function, the authors present a simple algorithm for locating the rightmost characteristic root of periodic solutions of some nonlinear oscillators with large time delay. Though the algorithm is based on the Lambert W function, a function that is still not popular for the common researchers, the implementation of the algorithm is actually very easy, because the popular mathematical software such as Maple, Matlab and Mathematica provides a calculator of this special function. As application, the proposed algorithm is used to detailed study the primary resonance and 1/3 subharmonic resonance of the Duffing oscillator under harmonic excitation and delayed feedback, as well as the control problem of the van der Pol oscillator under harmonic excitation by using delayed feedback, with a number of case studies. The paper contains a substantial introduction with a list of 31 references. However, no rigorous proof for the algorithm is given. It is an interesting challenge for any active researcher in the area of nonlinear oscillations.