Higher Order Structure along Nilpotent Eigendirections in Planar Vector Fields

Abstract

We study a distinguished one dimensional restriction associated with planar vector fields whose linearization is a nonzero nilpotent matrix of index two. This restriction admits an intrinsic interpretation on the nilpotent eigendirection, while its scalar representation in Jordan coordinates satisfies a simple transformation law under admissible changes of Jordan chain. Its quadratic Taylor coefficient coincides with the intrinsic quadratic Bogdanov--Takens coefficient. % For rational restrictions, we show that the Taylor coefficient sequence satisfies a finite linear recurrence determined by the minimal denominator. Its degree defines a recurrence degree that is invariant under admissible changes of Jordan chain and gives the minimal order of an eventual homogeneous recurrence. Exact cancellations may therefore be detected directly from the restriction before nonlinear normal form transformations are performed. Applications to four planar models exhibit different recurrence degree and cancellation mechanisms, illustrating the complementarity between the distinguished restriction and smooth nilpotent normal form theory.