Completely integrable Hamiltonian systems with weak Lyapunov instability or isochrony (Q533654)

A class of Hamiltonian autonomous systems in four dimensions which are completely integrable is studied, and their dynamics is described in detail. Some basic results on the 2-dimensional isochronous centers are presented, and a connection between the \(g\)-functions giving the isochronous centers and the even functions is established. It is shown that the Hamiltonian autonomous systems considered in this paper have an equilibrium point which is stable for some rare elements of the class and unstable in the most cases. It is proven that all the orbits of the linearized system are bounded and no motion is asymptotic in the past. This means that no non-constant solution has the equilibrium as limit point when time goes to minus infinity. In the unstable cases it is proven that there is a sequence of initial data which converges to the equilibrium point. It is argued that the corresponding solutions are unbounded, the instability is weak and the motion is slow. Some explicit examples of superintegrable systems are given and all such systems which have a third quadratic in the momentum first integral are obtained. It is emphasized that, in the Hamiltonian systems studied in this paper, the instability occurs because there is a sequence of initial data which converges to the origin and therefore the corresponding solutions are unbounded and the motion is slow.