Reeb’s theorem and periodic orbits for a rotating Hénon–Heiles potential

Abstract

We apply Reeb’s theorem to prove the existence of periodic orbits in the rotating Hénon– Heiles system. To this end, a sort of detuned normal form is calculated that yields a reduced system with at most four non degenerate equilibrium points. Linear stability and bifurcations of equilibrium solutions mimic those for periodic solutions of the original system. We also determine heteroclinic connections that can account for transport phenomena.