Towards a classification of bifurcations in Vlasov equations

Abstract

We propose a classification of bifurcations of Vlasov equations, based on the strength of the resonance between the unstable mode and the continuous spectrum on the imaginary axis. We then identify and characterize a new type of generic bifurcation where this resonance is weak, but the unstable mode couples with the Casimirs, which are constants of motion, to form a size 3 Jordan block. We derive a three-dimensional reduced noncanonical Hamiltonian system describing this bifurcation: coupling with the Casimirs controls the phase space portrait. Comparison of the reduced dynamics with direct numerical simulations on a test case gives excellent agreement. We finally discuss the relevance of this bifurcation to specific physical situations.