On the Melnikov method for fractional-order systems

This paper is dedicated to clarifying and introducing the correct application of Melnikov method in fractional dynamics. Attention to the complex dynamics of hyperbolic orbits and to fractional calculus can be, respectively, traced back to Poincaré's attack on the three-body problem a century ago and to the early days of calculus three centuries ago. Nowadays, fractional calculus has been widely applied in modeling dynamic problems across various fields due to its advantages in describing problems with non-locality. Some of these models have also been confirmed to exhibit hyperbolic orbit dynamics, and recently, they have been extensively studied based on Melnikov method, an analytical approach for homoclinic and heteroclinic orbit dynamics. Despite its decade-long application in fractional dynamics, there is a universal problem in these applications that remains to be clarified, i.e., defining fractional-order systems within finite memory boundaries leads to the neglect of perturbation calculation for parts of the stable and unstable manifolds in Melnikov analysis. After clarifying and redefining the problem, a rigorous analytical case is provided for reference. Unlike existing results, the Melnikov criterion here is derived in a globally closed form, which was previously considered unobtainable due to difficulties in the analysis of fractional-order perturbations characterized by convolution integrals with power-law type singular kernels. Finally, numerical methods are employed to verify the derived Melnikov criterion. Overall, the clarification for the problem and the presented case are expected to provide insights for future research in this topic.