Small- and large-amplitude limit cycles in Kukles systems with algebraic invariant curves

Abstract: Limit cycles of planar polynomial vector fields have been an active area of research for decades; the interest in periodic-orbit related dynamics comes from Hilbert's 16th problem and the fact that oscillatory states are often found in applications. We study the existence of limit cycles and their coexistence with invariant algebraic curves in two families of Kukles systems, via Lyapunov quantities and Melnikov functions of first and second order. We show center conditions, as well as a connection between small- and large-amplitude limit cycles arising in one of the families, in which the first coefficients of the Melnikov function correspond to the first Lyapunov quantities. We also provide an example of a planar polynomial system in which the cyclicity is not fully controlled by the first nonzero Melnikov function.