Data-driven bifurcation analysis via learning of homeomorphism

This work proposes a data-driven approach for bifurcation analysis in nonlinear systems when the governing differential equations are not available. Specifically, regularized regression with barrier terms is used to learn a homeomorphism that transforms the underlying system to a reference linear dynamics — either an explicit reference model with desired qualitative behavior, or Koopman eigenfunctions that are identified from some system data under a reference parameter value. When such a homeomorphism fails to be constructed with low error, bifurcation phenomenon is detected. A case study is performed on a planar numerical example where a pitchfork bifurcation exists.