Multi-stability in Doubochinski's Pendulum

Abstract

The widespread phenomena of multistability is a problem involving rich dynamics to be explored. In this paper, we study the multistability of a generalized nonlinear forcing oscillator excited by $f(x)cos \omega t$. We take Doubochinski's Pendulum as an example. The so-called "amplitude quantization", i.e., the multiple discrete periodical solutions, is identified as self-adaptive subharmonic resonance in response to nonlinear feeding. The subharmonic resonance frequency is found related to the symmetry of the driving force: odd subharmonic resonance occurs under even symmetric driving force and vice versa. We solve the multiple periodical solutions and investigate the transition and competition between these multi-stable modes via frequency response curves and Poincare maps. We find the irreversible transition between the multistable modes and propose a multistability control strategy.