# Using Index Theory to show a system has no closed orbits

1. May 26, 2013

### MeissnerEffect

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I'm doing a course in nonlinear dynamics using Strogatz. One of the exercises in the book is "Using index theory show that the system has no closed orbits"

2. Relevant equations
$\dot{x} = x(4-y-x^{2}) , \dot{y} = y(x-1)$

3. The attempt at a solution
Turns out there are 4 fixed points and we know that the sum of the indices of the fp within the closed orbit must equal 1.
No problem, except for the fp (1,3) which is a stable spiral(hence index of 1), which could in theory have a closed orbit around it.
Strogatz argues there can't be a closed orbit around it due to the saddle at (2,0) which has an unstable manifold in the direction of the spiral and the cycle can't cross the manifold as it would intersect another trajectory.
But as I understand things at the moment, the unstable manifold is only valid in the region close to the saddle, very clearly demonstrated by homoclinic orbits where the trajectory runs away on the unstable manifold but loops around and returns on the stable manifold.

I plotted the system in mathematica(see attachment) and it's clear that there indeed are no closed orbits, but Strogatz' argument doesn't convince me that what I drew in on the plane isn't possible.

#### Attached Files:

• ###### KOsRZ3j.jpg
File size:
118 KB
Views:
117
2. May 26, 2013

### christoff

I agree, as is, this isn't terribly convincing, unless Strogatz is talking about the global unstable manifold. Is this perhaps one of those rare examples where you can explicitly calculate the global unstable manifold? Sometimes this happens; the iteration method for finding the unstable manifold might converge after a finite number of steps. I haven't read Strogatz mind you, so I don't know if he covers the iteration method.

EDIT: Also, this probably wouldn't be very helpful, since then there's the matter of just making the closed orbit "smaller" so it avoids the unstable manifold.

You might be able to convince yourself by drawing a few pictures. I know, it's a bit of a cop-out, but try it. Draw a circle for your closed orbit, and draw a saddle nearby. Extend the saddle to some global unstable and stable manifold in the configuration that you think would cause a problem. Now, try to fill the phase portrait with arrows. Can you find any points for which the trajectory couldn't be continued backwards? I think you'll find that you run into problems for some points that are near the closed orbit.