Non-isochronicity of the center at the origin in polynomial Hamiltonian systems with even degree nonlinearities Original Research Article

In 2002 X. Jarque and J. Villadelprat proved that no center in a planar polynomial Hamiltonian system of degree 4 is isochronous and raised a question: Is there a planar polynomial Hamiltonian system of even degree which has an isochronous center? In this paper we give a criterion for non-isochronicity of the center at the origin of planar polynomial Hamiltonian systems. Moreover, the orders of weak centers are determined. Our results answer a weak version of the question, proving that there is no planar polynomial Hamiltonian system with only even degree nonlinearities having an isochronous center at the origin.