Jump of the adiabatic invariant at a separatrix crossing: Degenerate cases

An expression for the quasi-random jump of the adiabatic invariant at a separatrix crossing is obtained for a slow–fast Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom in the case when the separatrix passes through a degenerate saddle point in the phase plane of the fast variables. The general case with an arbitrary degree of degeneracy was considered, and this degree is assumed to remain fixed in the process of evolution of the slow variables. The typical value of the jump is larger than in the non-degenerate case studied earlier. Though strongly degenerate, such a setting can be relevant for physical problems. The influence of the asymmetry of a phase portrait on the magnitude of adiabatic invariant jumps was considered as well. An example of this kind is studied, namely the motion of ions in current sheets with complex inner structure.

► A slow–fast Hamiltonian system with a degenerate saddle point is considered.
► We derive an expression for the jump of the adiabatic invariant.
► We apply the results for the description of charged particle dynamics in a magnetic field.