Families of Orbits Produced by Three-Dimensional Central and Polynomial Potentials: An Application to the 3D Harmonic Oscillator

Abstract

We study three-dimensional potentials of the form V=U(xp+yp+zp), where U is an arbitrary function of C2-class, and p∈Z, which produces a preassigned two-parametric family of spatial regular orbits given in the solved form f(x,y,z) = c1, g(x,y,z) = c2 (c1, c2 = const). These potentials have to satisfy two linear PDEs, which are the basic equations of the 3D inverse problem of Newtonian dynamics. The functions f and g can be represented uniquely by the ”slope functions” α(x,y,z) and β(x,y,z). The orbital functions α(x,y,z) and β(x,y,z) have to satisfy three differential conditions according to the theory of the inverse problem. If these conditions are satisfied, then we can find such a potential analytically. We offer pertinent examples of potentials that are mainly used in physical problems. The values obtained for p lead to cases of well-known potentials, such as the Newtonian, cored, logarithmic, polynomial and quadratic ones. New families of orbits produced by the 3D harmonic oscillator are found. Pertinent examples are given and cover all cases. Two-dimensional potentials belong to a special category of potentials and are studied separately. The families of straight lines in 3D space are also examined.