On the dynamics of second-order Lagrangian systems

Abstract

In this article we are concerned with improving the twist condition for second-order Lagrangian systems. We characterize a local Twist property and demonstrate how results on the existence of simple closed characteristics can be extended in the case of the Swift-Hohenberg / extended Fisher-Kolmogorov Lagrangian. Finally, we describe explicit evolution equations for broken geodesic curves that could be used to investigate more general systems or closed characteristics.