arXiv subjects

Tere M. Seara

Publications and source records attributed to Tere M. Seara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

A degenerate Arnold diffusion mechanism in the Restricted 3 Body Problem

A major question in dynamical systems is to understand the mechanisms driving global instability in the 3 Body Problem (3BP), which models the motion of three bodies under Newtonian gravitational interaction. The 3BP is called restricted if one of the bodies has zero mass and the other two, the primaries, have strictly positive masses $m_0,m_1$. We consider the Restricted Planar Elliptic 3 Body Problem (RPE3BP) where the primaries revolve in Keplerian ellipses. We prove that the RPE3BP exhibits topological instability: for any values of the masses $m_0,m_1$ (except $m_0=m_1$), we build orbits along which the angular momentum of the massless body experiences an arbitrarily large variation provided the eccentricity of the orbit of the primaries is positive but small enough. In order to prove this result we show that a degenerate Arnold Diffusion Mechanism, which moreover involves exponentially small phenomena, takes place in the RPE3BP. Our work extends the one by Delshams, Kaloshin, De la Rosa, Seara (2019) for the a priori unstable case $m_1/m_0\ll1$, to the case of arbitrary masses $m_0,m_1>0$, where the model displays features of the so-called a priori stable setting.

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arXiv2025

On small breathers of nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations via exponentially small homoclinic splitting

Breathers are nontrivial time-periodic and spatially localized solutions of nonlinear dispersive partial differential equations (PDEs). Families of breathers have been found for certain integrable PDEs but are believed to be rare in non-integrable ones such as nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations. In this paper we show that small amplitude breathers of \emph{any} temporal frequency do not exist for semilinear Klein-Gordon equations with generic analytic odd nonlinearities. A breather with small amplitude exists only when its temporal frequency is close to be resonant with the linear Klein-Gordon dispersion relation. Our main result is that, for such frequencies, we rigorously identify the leading order term in the exponentially small (with respect to the small amplitude) obstruction to the existence of small breathers in terms of the so-called \emph{Stokes constant}, which depends on the nonlinearity analytically, but is independent of the frequency. This gives a rigorous justification of a formal asymptotic argument by Kruskal and Segur \cite{KS87} in the analysis of small breathers. We rely on the spatial dynamics approach where breathers can be seen as homoclinic orbits. The birth of such small homoclinics is analyzed via a singular perturbation setting where a Bogdanov-Takens type bifurcation is coupled to infinitely many rapidly oscillatory directions. The leading order term of the exponentially small splitting between the stable/unstable invariant manifolds is obtained through a careful analysis of the analytic continuation of their parameterizations. This requires the study of another limit equation in the complexified evolution variable, the so-called \emph{inner equation}.

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arXiv2024

Oscillatory motions, parabolic orbits and collision orbits in the planar circular restricted three-body problem

In this paper we consider the planar circular restricted three body problem (PCRTBP), which models the motion of a massless body under the attraction of other two bodies, the primaries, which describe circular orbits around their common center of mass. In a suitable system of coordinates, this is a two degrees of freedom Hamiltonian system. The orbits of this system are either defined for all (future or past) time or eventually go to collision with one of the primaries. For orbits defined for all time, Chazy provided a classification of all possible asymptotic behaviors, usually called final motions. By considering a sufficiently small mass ratio between the primaries, we analyze the interplay between collision orbits and various final motions and construct several types of dynamics. In particular, we show that orbits corresponding to any combination of past and future final motions can be created to pass arbitrarily close to the massive primary. Additionally, we construct arbitrarily large ejection-collision orbits (orbits which experience collision in both past and future times) and periodic orbits that are arbitrarily large and get arbitrarily close to the massive primary. Furthermore, we also establish oscillatory motions in both position and velocity, meaning that as time tends to infinity, the superior limit of the position or velocity is infinity while the inferior limit remains a real number.

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arXiv2022

Hyperbolic dynamics and oscillatory motions in the 3 Body Problem

Consider the planar 3 Body Problem with masses $m_0,m_1,m_2>0$. In this paper we address two fundamental questions: the existence of oscillatory motions and of chaotic hyperbolic sets. In 1922, Chazy classified the possible final motions of the three bodies, that is the behaviors the bodies may have when time tends to infinity. One of the possible behaviors are oscillatory motions, that is, solutions of the 3 Body Problem such that the positions of the bodies $q_0, q_1, q_2$ satisfy \[ \liminf_{t\to\pm\infty}\sup_{i,j=0,1,2, i\neq j}\|q_i-q_j\|<+\infty \quad \text{ and }\quad \limsup_{t\to\pm\infty}\sup_{i,j=0,1,2, i\neq j}\|q_i-q_j\|=+\infty. \] Assume that all three masses $m_0,m_1,m_2>0$ are not equal. Then, we prove that such motions exists. We also prove that one can construct solutions of the three body problem whose forward and backward final motions are of different type. This result relies on constructing invariant sets whose dynamics is conjugated to the (infinite symbols) Bernouilli shift. These sets are hyperbolic for the symplectically reduced planar 3 Body Problem. As a consequence, we obtain the existence of chaotic motions, an infinite number of periodic orbits and positive topological entropy for the 3 Body Problem.

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arXiv2022

Breakdown of heteroclinic connections in the analytic Hopf-Zero singularity: Rigorous computation of the Stokes constant

Consider analytic generic unfoldings of the three dimensional conservative Hopf-Zero singularity. Under open conditions on the parameters determining the singularity, the unfolding possesses two saddle-foci when the unfolding parameter is small enough. One of them has one dimensional stable manifold and two dimensional unstable manifold whereas the other one has one dimensional unstable manifold and two dimensional stable manifold. Baldomá, Castejón and Seara [BCS13] gave an asymptotic formula for the distance between the one dimensional invariant manifolds in a suitable transverse section. This distance is exponentially small with respect to the perturbative parameter, and it depends on what is usually called a Stokes constant. The non-vanishing of this constant implies that the distance between the invariant manifolds at the section is not zero. However, up to now there do not exist analytic techniques to check that condition. In this paper we provide a method for obtaining accurate rigorous computer assisted bounds for the Stokes constant. We apply it to two concrete unfoldings of the Hopf-Zero singularity, obtaining a computer assisted proof that the constant is non-zero.

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arXiv2020

Global phase-amplitude description of oscillatory dynamics via the parameterization method

In this paper we use the parameterization method to provide a complete description of the dynamics of an $n$-dimensional oscillator beyond the classical phase reduction. The parameterization method allows, via efficient algorithms, to obtain a parameterization of the attracting invariant manifold of the limit cycle in terms of the phase-amplitude variables. The method has several advantages. It provides analytically a Fourier-Taylor expansion of the parameterization up to any order, as well as a simplification of the dynamics that allows for a numerical globalization of the manifolds. Thus, one can obtain the local and global isochrons and isostables, including the slow attracting manifold, up to high accuracy, which offer a geometrical portrait of the oscillatory dynamics. Furthermore, it provides straightforwardly the infinitesimal Phase and Amplitude Response Functions, that is, the extended infinitesimal Phase and Amplitude Response Curves, which monitor the phase and amplitude shifts beyond the asymptotic state. Thus, the methodology presented yields an accurate description of the phase dynamics for perturbations not restricted to the limit cycle but to its attracting invariant manifold. Finally, we explore some strategies to reduce the dimension of the dynamics, including the reduction of the dynamics to the slow stable submanifold. We illustrate our methods by applying them to different three dimensional single neuron and neural population models in neuroscience.

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arXiv2020

Study of periodic orbits in periodic perturbations of planar reversible Filippov systems having a two-fold cycle

We study the existence of periodic solutions in a class of planar Filippov systems obtained from non-autonomous periodic perturbations of reversible piecewise smooth differential systems. It is assumed that the unperturbed system presents a simple two-fold cycle, which is characterized by a closed trajectory connecting a visible two-fold singularity to itself. It is shown that under certain generic conditions the perturbed system has sliding and crossing periodic solutions. In order to get our results, Melnikov's ideas were applied together with tools from the geometric singular perturbation theory. Finally, a study of a perturbed piecewise Hamiltonian model is performed.

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arXiv2019

Phase-locked states in oscillating neural networks and their role in neural communication

The theory of communication through coherence (CTC) proposes that brain oscillations reflect changes in the excitability of neurons, and therefore the successful communication between two oscillating neural populations depends not only on the strength of the signal emitted but also on the relative phases between them. More precisely, effective communication occurs when the emitting and receiving populations are properly phase locked so the inputs sent by the emitting population arrive at the phases of maximal excitability of the receiving population. To study this setting, we consider a population rate model consisting of excitatory and inhibitory cells modelling the receiving population, and we perturb it with a time-dependent periodic function modelling the input from the emitting population. We consider the stroboscopic map for this system and compute numerically the fixed and periodic points of this map and their bifurcations as the amplitude and the frequency of the perturbation are varied. From the bifurcation diagram, we identify the phase-locked states as well as different regions of bistability. We explore carefully the dynamics emphasizing its implications for the CTC theory. In particular, we study how the input gain depends on the timing between the input and the inhibitory action of the receiving population. Our results show that naturally an optimal phase locking for CTC emerges, and provide a mechanism by which the receiving population can implement selective communication. Moreover, the presence of bistable regions, suggests a mechanism by which different communication regimes between brain areas can be established without changing the structure of the network

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arXiv2019

A geometric approach to Phase Response Curves and its numerical computation through the parameterization method

The Phase Response Curve (PRC) is a tool used in neuroscience that measures the phase shift experienced by an oscillator due to a perturbation applied at different phases of the limit cycle. In this paper we present a new approach to PRCs based on the parameterization method. The underlying idea relies on the construction of a periodic system whose corresponding stroboscopic map has an invariant curve. We demonstrate the relationship between the internal dynamics of this invariant curve and the PRC, which yields a method to numerically compute the PRCs. Moreover, we link the existence properties of this invariant curve as the amplitude of the perturbation is increased with changes in the PRC waveform and with the geometry of isochrons. The invariant curve and its dynamics will be computed by means of the parameterization method consisting of solving an invariance equation. We show that the method to compute the PRC can be extended beyond the breakdown of the curve by means of introducing a modified invariance equation. The method also computes the amplitude response functions (ARCs) which provide information on the displacement away from the oscillator due to the effects of the perturbation. Finally, we apply the method to several classical models in neuroscience to illustrate how the results herein extend the framework of computation and interpretation of the PRC and ARC for perturbations of large amplitude and not necessarily pulsatile.

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arXiv2018

Critical velocity in kink-defect interaction models: rigorous results

In this work we study a model of interaction of kinks of the sine-Gordon equation with a weak defect. We obtain rigorous results concerning the so-called critical velocity derived in [7] by a geometric approach. More specifically, we prove that a heteroclinic orbit in the energy level $0$ of a $2$-dof Hamiltonian $H_ε$ is destroyed giving rise to heteroclinic connections between certain elements (at infinity) for exponentially small (in $ε$) energy levels. In this setting Melnikov theory does not apply because there are exponentially small phenomena.

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arXiv2018

Global instability in the elliptic restricted three body problem

The restricted planar elliptic three body problem (RPETBP) describes the motion of a massless particle (a comet) under the gravitational field of two massive bodies (the primaries, say the Sun and Jupiter) revolving around their center of mass on elliptic orbits with some positive eccentricity. The aim of this paper is to show the existence of orbits whose angular momentum performs arbitrary excursions in a large region. In particular, there exist diffusive orbits, that is, with a large variation of angular momentum. The leading idea of the proof consists in analysing parabolic motions of the comet. By a well-known result of McGehee, the union of future (resp. past) parabolic orbits is an analytic manifold. In a properly chosen coordinate system these manifolds are stable (resp. unstable) manifolds of a manifold at infinity $P_\infty$, which we call manifold at parabolic infinity. On this manifold, it is possible to define two scattering maps, which contain the map structure of the homoclinic trajectories to it, i.e. orbits parabolic both in the future and the past. Since the inner dynamics inside $P_\infty$ is trivial, two different scattering maps are used. The combination of these two scattering maps permits the design of the desired diffusive pseudo-orbits. Using shadowing techniques and these pseudo orbits we show the existence of true trajectories of the RPETBP whose angular momentum varies in any predetermined fashion.

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arXiv2016

A unified approach to explain contrary effects of hysteresis and smoothing in nonsmooth systems

Piecewise smooth dynamical systems make use of discontinuities to model switching between regions of smooth evolution. This introduces an ambiguity in prescribing dynamics at the discontinuity: should it be given by a limiting value on one side or other of the discontinuity, or a member of some set containing those values? One way to remove the ambiguity is to regularize the discontinuity, the most common being either to smooth out the discontinuity, or to introduce a hysteresis between switching in one direction or the other across the discontinuity. Here we show that the two can in general lead to qualitatively different dynamical outcomes. We then define a higher dimensional model with both smoothing and hysteresis, and study the competing limits in which hysteretic or smoothing effect dominate the behaviour, only the former of which correspond to Filippov's standard `sliding modes'.

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arXiv2015

Oscillatory orbits in the restricted elliptic planar three body problem

The restricted planar elliptic three body problem models the motion of a massless body under the Newtonian gravitational force of the two other bodies, the primaries, which evolve in Keplerian ellipses. A trajectory is called oscillatory if it leaves every bounded region but returns infinitely often to some fixed bounded region. We prove the existence of such type of trajectories for any values for the masses of the primaries provided they make almost circular orbits.

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arXiv2014

Regularization of sliding global bifurcations derived from the local fold singularity of Filippov systems

In this paper we study the Sotomayor-Teixeira regularization of a general visible fold singularity of a Filippov system. Extending Geometric Fenichel Theory beyond the fold with asymptotic methods, we determine there the deviation of the orbits of the regularized system from the generalized solutions of the Filippov one. This result is applied to the regularization of some global sliding bifurcations as the Grazing-Sliding of periodic orbits or the Sliding Homoclinic to a Saddle, as well as to some classical problems in dry friction. Roughly speaking, we see that locally, and also globally, the regularization of the bifurcations preserve the topological features of the sliding ones.

math.DS↗

arXiv2013

Instability of high dimensional Hamiltonian Systems: Multiple resonances do not impede diffusion

We consider models given by Hamiltonians of the form $$H(I,ϕ,p,q,t;ε) = h(I) + \sum_{j = 1}^n \pm(\frac{1}{2} p_j^2 + V_j(q_j)) + εQ(I,ϕ,p,q,t;ε)$$ where $I,ϕ$ are d-dimensional actions and angles, $p,q$ are n-dimensional real conjugated variables, and $t$ is an angle. These are higher dimensional analogues, both in the center and hyperbolic directions, of the models studied in previous papers by the athors. All these models present the large gap problem. We show that, for $ε$ small enough, under regularity and explicit non-degeneracy conditions on the model, there are orbits whose action variables $I$ perform rather arbitrary excursions in a domain of size O(1). This domain includes resonance lines and, hence, large gaps among $d$-dimensional KAM tori. The method of proof follows closely the strategy of [DLS(=Delshams, Llave and Seara) 2006]. The main new phenomenon that appears when the dimension $d$ of the center directions is larger than one, is the existence of multiple resonances. We show that, since these multiple resonances happen in sets of codimension greater than one in the space of actions $I$, they can be contoured. This corresponds to the mechanism called diffusion across resonances in the Physics literature. The present paper, however, differs substantially from [DLS 2006]. On the technical details of the proofs, we have taken advantage of the theory of the scattering map [DLS 2008], not available when the above papers were written. We have analyzed the conditions imposed on the resonances in more detail. More precisely, we have found that there is a simple condition on the Melnikov potential which allows us to conclude that the resonances are crossed. In particular, this condition does not depend on the resonances. So that the results are new even when applied to the models in [DLS 2006].

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arXiv2012

Oscillatory motions for the restricted planar circular three body problem

In this paper we consider the circular restricted three body problem which models the motion of a masless body under the influence of the Newtionan gravitational force caused by two other bodies, the primaries, which move along cicular planar Keplerian orbits. In a suitable system of coordinates, this system has two degrees of freedom and the conserved energy is usually called the Jacobi constant. In 1980, J. Llibre and C. Simó proved the existence of oscillatory motions for the restricted planar circular three body problem, that is, of orbits which leave every bounded region but which return infinitely often to some fixed bounded region. To prove their existence they had to assume the ratio between the masses of the two primaries to be exponentially small with respect to the Jacobi constant. In the present work, we generalize their work proving the existence of oscillatory motions for any value of the mass ratio. To obtain such motions, we show that, for any value of the mass ratio and for big values of the Jacobi constant, there exist transversal intersections between the stable and unstable manifolds of infinity which guarantee the existence of a symbolic dynamics that creates the oscillatory orbits. The main achievement is to rigorously prove the existence of these orbits without assuming the mass ratio small since then this transversality can not be checked by means of classical perturbation theory respect to the mass ratio. Since our method is valid for all values of mass ratio, we are able to detect a curve in the parameter space, formed by the mass ratio and the Jacobi constant, where cubic homoclinic tangencies between the invariant manifolds of infinity appear.

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arXiv2012

Exponentially small splitting of separatrices beyond Melnikov analysis: rigorous results

We study the problem of exponentially small splitting of separatrices of one degree of freedom classical Hamiltonian systems with a non-autonomous perturbation fast and periodic in time. We provide a result valid for general systems which are algebraic or trigonometric polynomials in the state variables. It consists on obtaining a rigorous proof of the asymptotic formula for the measure of the splitting. We obtain that the splitting has the asymptotic behavior $K \varepsilon^β \text{e}^{-a/\varepsilon}$, identifying the constants $K,β,a$ in terms of the system features. We consider several cases. In some cases, assuming the perturbation is small enough, the values of $K,β$ coincide with the classical Melnikov approach. We identify the limit size of the perturbation for which this theory holds true. However for the limit cases, which appear naturally both in averaging and bifurcation theories, we encounter that, generically, $K$ and $β$ are not well predicted by Melnikov theory.

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arXiv2011

Exponentially and non-exponentially small splitting of separatrices for the pendulum with a fast meromorphic perturbation

In this paper we study the splitting of separatrices phenomenon which arises when one considers a Hamiltonian System of one degree of freedom with a fast periodic or quasiperiodic and meromorphic in the state variables perturbation. The obtained results are different from the previous ones in the literature, which mainly assume algebraic or trigonometric polynomial dependence on the state variables. As a model, we consider the pendulum equation with several meromorphic perturbations and we show the sensitivity of the size of the splitting on the width of the analyticity strip of the perturbation with respect to the state variables. We show that the size of the splitting is exponentially small if the strip of analyticity is wide enough. Furthermore, we see that the splitting grows as the width of the analyticity strip shrinks, even becoming non-exponentially small for very narrow strips. Our results prevent from using polynomial truncations of the meromorphic perturbation to compute the size of the splitting of separatrices.

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