Limit Cycle Bifurcations in a Class of Piecewise Smooth Polynomial Systems

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the bifurcation problem of limit cycles for a class of piecewise smooth cubic systems separated by the straight line [Formula: see text]. Using the first order Melnikov function, we prove that at least [Formula: see text] limit cycles can bifurcate from an isochronous cubic center at the origin under perturbations of piecewise polynomials of degree [Formula: see text]. Further, the maximum number of limit cycles bifurcating from the center of the unperturbed system is at least [Formula: see text] if the origin is the unique singular point under perturbations.