Conservative perturbation theory for nonconservative systems

Abstract

In this paper, we show how to use canonical perturbation theory for dissipative dynamical systems capable of showing limit cycle oscillations. Thus, our work surmounts the hitherto perceived barrier for canonical perturbation theory that it can be applied only to a class of conservative systems, viz.,~Hamiltonian systems. In the process, we also find Hamiltonian structure for an important subset of Li\'enard system--- a paradigmatic system for modeling isolated and asymptotic oscillatory state. We discuss the possibility of extending our method to encompass even wider range of non-conservative systems.