Zero-Hopf bifurcation in the FitzHugh-Nagumo system

Abstract

We characterize the values of the parameters for which a zero-Hopf equilibrium point takes place at the singular points, namely, O (the origin), P+, and P- in the FitzHugh-Nagumo system. We find two two-parameter families of the FitzHugh-Nagumo system for which the equilibrium point at the origin is a zero-Hopf equilibrium. For these two families, we prove the existence of a periodic orbit bifurcating from the zero-Hopf equilibrium point O. We prove that there exist three two-parameter families of the FitzHugh-Nagumo system for which the equilibrium point at P+ and at P- is a zero-Hopf equilibrium point. For one of these families, we prove the existence of one, two, or three periodic orbits starting at P+ and P-.