Limit cycle oscillations in the small system of Figure 9. When the parameterization of (30) is slightly changed, with the rate parameter value crossing the Hopf bifurcation threshold, the formerly stable steady state becomes unstable, and the system exhibits stable oscillations. (a) shows the time courses, whereas (b) shows the results in a phase-plane plot of versus . Here the blue trajectory spirals inward toward the limit cycle (a), while the apparent ring area in green actually consists of a very tight outward spiral toward the limit cycle.
