20.

9 Elementary Hamiltonian Bifurcations

20.8e

491

Exercises

1. Compute the form of the quadratic Hamiltonians in the codimension zero cases. Also
compute the associated infinitesimally symplectic matrices.
2. For the codimension one versal deformations, compute the associated infinitesimally
symplectic matrices.
3. Prove that the three codimension one cases in Galins list are indeed versal deformations.
4. Eigenvalue Movement. For the codimension one versal deformations, sketch the positions of the eigenvalues in the complex plane for 1 < 0, 1 = 0, and 1 > 0. Indicate
how the eigenvalues move as 1 is varied from positive to negative. The case (ia)2
is known as the Hamiltonian Hopf bifurcation. However, as pointed out in Meyer and
Hall [1992], Hopf had nothing to do with the study of the bifurcations associated with
this case. van der Meer [1985] and Meyer and Hall [1992] give discussions that put this
in the correct historical context. An elementary exposition of the Hamiltonian Hopf
bifurcation is given by Lahiri and Roy [2001].
5. Compute the normal form (the leading order terms beyond quadratic) for the Hamiltonian Hopf bifurcation.
6. Compute the normal form (the leading order terms beyond quadratic) for the the case
(a)2 .

20.9 Elementary Hamiltonian Bifurcations

In this section we describe some of the basic elementary Hamiltonian bifurcations. Hamiltonian bifurcation theory is a rapidly developing area. The
articles of Meyer [1975], [1986], and Golubitsky et al. [1995] and the books
of Arnold et al. [1988] and Meyer and Hall [1992] provide a good overview of
the subject of Hamiltonian bifurcations of equilibrium points and periodic
orbits, with and without symmetry.

20.9a

One Degree-of-Freedom Systems

We now describe three elementary bifurcations of equilibrium points in

one-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian systems in the spirit of the saddlenode, pitchfork, and Hopf bifurcations for general vector fields that we
described earlier. The following discussion is taken from Golubitsky and
Stewart [1987].
Hamiltonian Saddle Node
The analog of the saddle-node bifurcation for Hamiltonian systems is a situation where as a parameter is varied two equilibria, a saddle and a center,

492

20. Bifurcation of Fixed Points of Vector Fields

>0

=0

<0

FIGURE 20.9.1. Phase portraits corresponding to the Hamiltonian saddle-node

bifurcation.

collide and disappear, leaving no fixed points. Since the system is Hamiltonian it is (at least) two dimensional, and one would expect the center to
be surrounded by periodic orbits and the saddle to have a separatrix (or
homoclinic orbit). The normal form for this bifurcation is given by
H(p, q, ) = p + q 2 + p3 ,

(p, q, ) R1 R1 R1 .

(20.9.1)

The phase portraits are shown in Figure 20.9.1.

Hamiltonian Pitchfork: Z2 Symmetry
The standard pitchfork bifurcation of equilibria is generic in one parameter
families of vector fields equivariant with respect to a Z2 action. Similarly,
the Hamiltonian analog of the pitchfork occurs generically in one parameter
families of Hamiltonians that are invariant with respect to a Z2 action. The
normal form is given by

20.9 Elementary Hamiltonian Bifurcations

H(p, q, ) = p2 + q 2 + p4 ,

(p, q, ) R1 R1 R1 .

493

(20.9.2)

The phase portraits are shown in Figure 20.9.2.

q

O!

O 

O

FIGURE 20.9.2. Phase portraits corresponding to the Hamiltonian pitchfork bifurcation.

S 1 Symmetry
The Poincare-Andronov-Hopf bifurcation is a generic bifurcation of equilibria for one parameters families of two-dimensional vector fields having an
S 1 symmetry. The normal form for a one-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian
in the neighborhood of an equilibrium point, and invariant with respect to
an S 1 symmetry is given by
H(p, q, ) = (p2 + q 2 ) + (p2 + q 2 )2 ,

(p, q, ) R1 R1 R1 . (20.9.3)

However, the term Hamiltonian Hopf bifurcation is not applied to this

situation. The phase portraits are shown in Figure 20.9.3.

494

20. Bifurcation of Fixed Points of Vector Fields

O!

O 

O

FIGURE 20.9.3. Phase portraits corresponding to the Hamiltonian invariant with

respect to an S 1 symmetry. The heavy circle represents a circle of equilibrium
points.

20.9b

Exercises

1. Verify that the phase portraits shown in the Figures 20.9.1, 20.9.2, and 20.9.3 are
correct.
2. For the Hamiltonian pitchfork bifurcation, an elliptic equilibrium point became a saddle (as the parameter passed through zero) with a symmetric pair of elliptic equilibria
branching from it. Can you write down a normal form where a saddle type equilibrium
point becomes an elliptic equilibrium point with two saddle type equilibria branching
from it?
3. Prove that these three normal forms (20.9.1), (20.9.2), and (20.9.3) are indeed versal
deformations for the situations described.